Saba Skhvitaridze is accused of committing a crime under Article 353¹, Section 2 of the Criminal Code. According to the prosecution, on December 4, 2024, in the evening hours, he allegedly attacked police officer Mirian Kavtaradze near the "Marriott" hotel in Tbilisi and struck him twice on the head with a baton-like object, thereby committing "harm to a police officer’s health in connection with their official duties." The prescribed punishment for this offense is imprisonment for a term ranging from seven to eleven years.
Saba Skhvitaridze has been in detention for almost two months now. As in all other cases involving protest participants, both the first-instance and appellate courts remanded him without proper justification to pretrial detention as a preventive measure.
1. Who is Saba Skhvitaridze?
Saba Skhvitaridze is a member of the opposition political party "Akhali" (New). Before joining the party, he worked at the non-governmental organization "Reforms and Research Group" and was an active member of civil society. His organization has been working—and continues to work—on issues related to human rights, democratic reforms, and election monitoring.
Saba Skhvitaridze was actively involved in organizing and participating in protests against the so-called "Russian Law", serving as both an active participant and one of the organizers. He was also engaged in communication with student movements.
He is a public figure and has been vocal in expressing his critical views on the policies of the ruling party, "Georgian Dream." He is a law-abiding citizen of Georgia and has never been the subject of law enforcement prosecution.
He was arrested for the first time on November 19, 2024, on Melikishvili Avenue in Tbilisi during protests held after the elections. During the arrest, he was subjected to physical violence. In addition, he was fined 2,500 GEL at that time.
2. Contradictory Information Regarding the Alleged Crime’s Location, Circumstances, and Method
The case against Saba Skhvitaridze contains completely contradictory information and evidence regarding the location, circumstances, and method of the alleged crime. These inconsistencies, at the very least, create a reasonable doubt that the charges against him are fabricated and that, in reality, Saba Skhvitaridze did not commit the crime attributed to him.
a) The Prosecution’s Version of the Crime’s Location, Circumstances, and Method
The investigation initiation record (Form N1), which marks the beginning of the investigation, was prepared on December 4, 2024, by investigator Salome Edisherashvili. The case also includes a report and an interrogation protocol dated the same day, December 4, 2024, written by detective Aleksandre Gachechiladze. According to this document, based on "confidential information"—the source of which Gachechiladze refused to disclose—Saba Skhvitaridze "must have committed" the attack on Mirian Kavtaradze.
Later, during the night, after December 5 had already begun, two police officers—Luka Jincharadze and Mikheil Tsiklauri—were questioned as witnesses. Both of them provided word-for-word identical testimonies to the investigator. Specifically, they both stated that on the evening of December 4, they were near the "Tbilisi Marriott" hotel while a protest was taking place in front of Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue. They both claimed that they were "maintaining public order" but were dressed in civilian clothes. Both officers described the protesters as "aggressive," shouting and cursing at the police. According to their testimonies, they, as plainclothes, "officers maintaining order," urged the protesters to remain calm, but this, they claimed, only further agitated the crowd. As both "witnesses" stated, they saw that "suddenly, one of the protesters, a young man under 30, with a dark beard and a slightly hooked nose, approached our colleague Mirian Kavtaradze and struck him twice in the head with a baton-like object, causing blood to flow from Kavtaradze’s head. After this, the mentioned individual quickly blended into the crowd and disappeared." This phrase, like the rest of their testimonies, is repeated word-for-word in both officers' interrogation records, making it clear that one statement was simply copied into the other.
Following this, both officers participated in an identification procedure, during which they each selected Saba Skhvitaridze from four photographs, identifying him as the person who attacked Mirian Kavtaradze.
The next day, the so-called victim, Mirian Kavtaradze, provided a statement with the same wording and phrasing as the previous testimonies. Later, another police officer, Mikheil Sujashvili, repeated the exact same account.
A department head from the "Caucasus Medical Center" was questioned as a witness in the case. He testified that Mirian Kavtaradze was brought to the center and underwent a medical examination on the night of December 4. As evidence, medical documentation of Kavtaradze’s examination was retrieved from the "Caucasus Medical Center."
Subsequently, a forensic medical report was obtained, which concluded that the injury sustained by Mirian Kavtaradze was classified as "minor, causing temporary health impairment."
b) Investigative Document Contradicting the Crime’s Alleged Location and Method
The prosecution’s version—claiming that on December 4, 2024, Saba Skhvitaridze attacked police officer Mirian Kavtaradze near the "Tbilisi Marriott" hotel on Rustaveli Avenue and struck him twice in the head with a baton-like object—is entirely contradicted by another document in the case file, which was obtained by the prosecution itself. This document is an electronic report of a crime notification, which states: "A Ministry of Internal Affairs employee, Mirian Kavtaradze, was transported by ambulance from Freedom Square to the Caucasus Medical Center. According to the patient, he was struck in the head by a blunt object thrown by protesters."
If this document contains accurate information, then the alleged crime scene was not Rustaveli Avenue near the "Tbilisi Marriott" hotel but rather Freedom Square. The same document also reveals that if any injury was indeed sustained by Mirian Kavtaradze, it was not due to two blows from a baton—as officers Luka Jincharadze and Mikheil Tsiklauri initially claimed and as Kavtaradze and Sujashvili later reiterated—but rather, according to Kavtaradze himself, from a blunt object thrown by protesters.
c) The Defense’s Position and Evidence Regarding the Incident Location and Other Circumstances
The information recorded in the crime notification—stating that the incident took place at Freedom Square rather than near the "Tbilisi Marriott"—is entirely consistent with Saba Skhvitaridze’s testimony and other evidence obtained by the defense. This evidence credibly demonstrates that on the evening of December 4, 2024, Saba Skhitaridze was indeed present at Freedom Square, near the entrance of the "Courtyard Marriott" hotel, and not at the "Tbilisi Marriott" hotel, as claimed by the "victim" and the police witnesses. Notably, the two hotels are approximately 650 meters apart, making an unintentional mix-up impossible.
According to multiple witnesses, including Saba Skhvitaridze himself, on December 4, 2024, near the entrance of the "Courtyard Marriott," Skhvitaridze was involved in an altercation with so-called "titushkas"—individuals dressed in dark civilian clothing, their faces partially covered with masks, who had gathered near the hotel and were hurling vulgar insults at opposition party representatives holding negotiations inside.
Among these "titushkas" was the so-called "victim," Mirian Kavtaradze. Witnesses indicate that Kavtaradze stood out because he physically assaulted a young woman who attempted to pull down his mask and hood. At that moment, opposition party members nearby shouted, "How dare you hit a woman?" This outcry escalated the confrontation between the opposition representatives and the "titushkas."
Crucially, neither Kavtaradze nor any other "titushka" was wearing a police uniform or any identifying insignia on their clothing that would indicate to an outsider—such as Saba Skhvitaridze—that they were dealing with law enforcement officers.
d) Video Evidence
The case file contains a video clip posted on Facebook by a certain T.M., which, according to investigator Salome Edisherashvili, allegedly depicts Saba Skhvitaridze attacking Mirian Kavtaradze near the "Tbilisi Marriott" hotel. However, the authenticity and relevance of this so-called "evidence" are entirely unverified. Furthermore, the prosecution has not provided any forensic (habitoscopic) analysis to confirm whether the individuals captured in the footage are indeed Saba Skhvitaridze and Mirian Kavtaradze. Because of the facts described below, it is likely that such an analysis, if conducted, would not have yielded results favorable to the prosecution.
On the other hand, the defense has obtained counter-evidence—video footage from several television networks, including "Mtavari," "Formula," and "TV Pirveli." These videos clearly show that both Saba Skhitaridze and Mirian Kavtaradze were present near the "Courtyard Marriott" hotel that evening, and not near the Tbilisi Marriott. In the footage broadcasted by these television networks, the following crucial details can be observed: A young woman pulled down Mirian Kavtaradze’s hood, to which he responded aggressively, striking her in the face or shoulder. This act of violence by Kavtaradze instigated a group confrontation between the opposition representatives and the "titushkas" (provocateurs). The physical altercation did not go beyond mutual shoving and scuffling, as seen in the video footage. It is difficult to determine who played what role in the fight and who struck whom. There is no evidence in the footage of anyone using a baton, contradicting the prosecution’s claims that Saba Skhvitaridze hit Mirian Kavtaradze twice in the head with such a weapon.
2. The Falsehood of the Prosecution’s "Narrative"
The circumstances described above, including video footage broadcast by television stations and obtained as evidence by the defense, indicate that the entire "narrative" of the prosecution—claiming that Saba Skhvitaridze struck Mirian Kavtaradze twice on the head with a baton near the “Tbilisi Marriott Hotel”, causing minor injuries—is fabricated and falsified. Specifically:
3. The "Victim" Mirian Kavtaradze Was Not Performing His Official Duties; He Was Committing a Crime
Even if the prosecution’s narrative were true—that Saba Skhvitaridze struck Mirian Kavtaradze twice in the head with a baton, which, as we have seen, is not the case—Skhvitaridze’s actions could not be classified as "causing harm to a police officer’s health in relation to their official duties." This is because Mirian Kavtaradze was not wearing a police uniform and was not performing his official duties at that moment.
The facts described above clearly demonstrate, and are even acknowledged by Kavtaradze himself and other prosecution witnesses, that neither Kavtaradze nor the other individuals present were wearing police uniforms or any distinguishing insignia that evening. As a result, neither Saba Skhvitaridze nor any other bystander could have known they were dealing with police officers.
Moreover, even if Kavtaradze had been in uniform, he was not performing police duties—not maintaining public order—but rather, on the contrary, he appears to be blatantly violating public order and committing a crime. Along with his accomplices, he was verbally abusing and physically assaulting members of an opposition party in a public gathering. Thus, he was acting not as a police officer but as a street thug and provocateur.
His actions could be legally classified as hooliganism—a criminal act that grossly violates public order and demonstrates clear disrespect for society, committed with violence or the threat of violence by a group acting in coordination. According to Article 239, Part 2, Subparagraph "a" of the Criminal Code, such an offense is punishable by a fine, community service for 180 to 200 hours, corrective labor for one to two years, or imprisonment for two to five years.
Additionally, Kavtaradze may have abused his official position, which, under Article 332, Part 3, Subparagraph "b" of the same code, is punishable by imprisonment for five to eight years, with the deprivation of the right to hold office or engage in professional activities for up to three years.
4. Saba Skhvitaridze Did Not Commit the Crime He Was Accused of, and He Likely Did Not Commit Any Crime at All
Since Mirian Kavtaradze was not performing his official duties and could not be identified as a police officer, it is beyond doubt that Saba Skhvitaridze did not commit an intentional crime related to "harming a police officer’s health in connection with their official duties." This crime requires two essential elements: the harm must be inflicted and the victim must be a police officer. Neither of these elements is present in this case.
Furthermore, it is highly doubtful that Saba Skhvitaridze committed any other crime, such as "violence" under Article 126, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which is considered a less serious offense and is punishable by a fine, community service, house arrest for six months to one year, or imprisonment for up to one year.
As previously stated, this entire incident was provoked by Mirian Kavtaradze himself at the entrance of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel. It was his aggressive actions that led to the mutual group altercation, in which Saba Skhvitaridze 's role remains unclear.
5. The Illegal Arrest of Saba Skhvitaridze
The cascade of crimes committed against Saba Skhvitaridze by the law enforcement system began with his illegal arrest. As Skhvitaridze describes, on December 5, 2024, at dawn, he was traveling with his father in his father's car toward Guria when a patrol police vehicle stopped them near Zestaponi. Following this, Saba Skhvitaridze was forcibly removed from his father’s vehicle without any explanation as to why he was being arrested, on what basis, or what rights he had. He was handcuffed, transferred to a police car, and taken toward Tbilisi.
On the way, near Gori, he was transferred to a Toyota Camry, which then transported him to the Tbilisi Police Department located at 1, K. Chaladze Street.
Such actions by the police constitute "intentional unlawful detention or arrest", a crime under Article 147 of the Criminal Code.
6. Torture or Inhuman and Degrading Treatment of Saba Skhvitaridze at the Police Station
After being taken to the Tbilisi Police Department, Skhvitaridze was brought to the 5th floor of the building, where he was beaten by four masked men using their fists and feet. He was then moved to the 8th floor to meet with an investigator. However, after a few minutes, the investigator left the room, leaving Skhvitaridze alone. Shortly after, several more masked men entered the room and assaulted him again—this time using various objects, demanding that he confess to a crime. During both incidents of violence, Skhvitaridze experienced severe physical and psychological pain. After the beatings, he was transferred to the temporary detention facility in Digomi.
This incident constitutes torture or inhuman and degrading treatment, as defined under Articles 144¹ and 144³ of the Criminal Code. Although Skhvitaridze was officially recognized as a victim, the investigation has failed to identify the masked perpetrators, and to this day, no one has been held accountable.
7. Inaction of the Special Investigative Service and the Prosecutor’s Office
Under Georgian law, investigations into acts of torture or inhuman and degrading treatment by law enforcement officials fall under the jurisdiction of the Special Investigative Service. Additionally, as with all crimes, the Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for overseeing the investigation.
The fact that nearly two months have passed without the investigation identifying any perpetrators or bringing anyone to justice suggests at the very least official negligence by the heads of the Special Investigative Service and the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office, including the Chief of the Special Investigative Service, Karlo Katsitadze, and the General Prosecutor, Giorgi Gabitashvili. This could constitute "official negligence", a crime under Article 342 of the Criminal Code.
8. The Political Nature of the Persecution Against Saba Skhvitaridze
Saba Skhvitaridze is a member and activist of the opposition political party "Akhali" (New). Accordingly, in addition to the other crimes committed against him by law enforcement representatives and, in essence, the entire law enforcement and judicial system, there are also clear indications of political persecution against him.
This persecution, linked to his political activities, constitutes a violation under Article 156 of the Criminal Code. The goal of such actions presumably is to intimidate his party, the opposition movement in general, and the entire freedom-loving society.
Conclusion
The case of Saba Skhvitaridze is a clear example of coordinated action between the captured law enforcement institutions for the purpose of punishing a specific citizen.
As mentioned above, based on the case materials, there is no evidence that Saba Skhvitaridze committed the imputed criminal offence or any other crime. The investigative materials contain falsifications regarding the location and circumstances of the alleged crime. The testimonies of police witnesses are false and identical word-for-word, which undermines their credibility and indicates that these statements were not drafted by the witnesses themselves but were pre-written by the investigator and merely signed by these false witnesses.
It is unequivocal that the investigation has been completely falsified and aims to punish Saba Skhvitaridze for his past and ongoing activities. State institutions and specific representatives of these institutions are involved in achieving this goal, namely:
Ministry of Internal Affairs employees:
These individuals are involved in falsifying the crime and providing false testimony. Mirian Kavataradze himself was engaged in violent actions. It is likely that the superiors of these individuals must have also been aware of these actions, including the sanctioned head of the Tbilisi Police Department, Sulkhan Tamazashvili. Without his involvement, it would not have been possible for so many police officers to coordinate their efforts in fabricating the case.
For reference, police officers giving false testimonies is a widespread practice, and such cases are systematically encountered in situations involving the arrests of protesters.
Prosecutors of the Tbilisi Prosecutor's Office:
Judges:
These judges should have been aware of the inconsistencies in the case, the false testimonies of the police officers, and the fraudulent nature of the prosecution’s evidence. Nevertheless, they left Saba Skhvitaridze in pretrial detention without any solid evidence.
The actions of these individuals exhibit elements of several criminal offenses, specifically:
As previously mentioned, the individuals who brutally assaulted Saba Skhitaridze at the police station, as well as the investigator who left the room and handed him over to masked perpetrators, thereby aiding the execution of the crime, are liable under Article 144¹ ("Torture"), Part 2, Subparagraphs "a" and "b" of the Criminal Code. This offense is punishable by imprisonment for 9 to 15 years, along with a ban on holding office or engaging in certain activities for up to 5 years. Alternatively, at the very least, their actions fall under Article 144³ ("Degrading or Inhuman Treatment"), Part 2, Subparagraphs "a" and "b," which carries a penalty of 5 to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine, and a ban on holding office or engaging in certain activities for up to 5 years, with or without the latter restriction.
The fact that these individuals have not been held accountable, despite the public awareness of the case details through media reports, and that the Special Investigation Service has made no attempt to investigate the involvement of law enforcement officers, further indicates that the criminal acts against Saba Skhvitaridze were politically motivated retaliation.