Georgia’s Interior Ministry on Wednesday claimed that a police officer lost vision in his right eye after being struck by a blunt object during a protest in Tbilisi late last year during protests against the Georgian Dream Government’s decision in November 2024 to halt the country’s EU integration until 2028, an incident only made public more than four months after it occurred.
In a statement released, the Ministry identified the injured officer as Giorgi Zabakhidze, a senior detective with the Didube-Chugureti division of the Tbilisi Police Department. The injury reportedly took place between 28 and 29 November 2024, during demonstrations near the parliament building.
Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said Zabakhidze was part of a police cordon when he was hit in the eye by a blunt object thrown by what he described as “a violent member of the protest.” According to the Ministry, the officer fell immediately and was taken to a clinic by ambulance, where emergency care was provided.
Medical evaluations at several clinics in Tbilisi determined that the injury resulted in permanent blindness in the right eye. Subsequent consultations with specialists in Austria, Israel, and Turkey – including at Güven Clinic in Ankara and Acibadem Clinic in Istanbul – confirmed the damage was irreparable, the body claimed.
The Ministry did not explain why details of the incident were not released until mid-April. Officials said that an investigation was ongoing, but no suspect had been identified.
“All relevant procedural and investigative actions are underway,” the Ministry said, adding that the case remains open.
Darakhvelidze, who is currently under financial sanctions by the United Kingdom, also said that a total of 171 Interior Ministry employees had been injured during recent protests.
Although the Ministry and pro-government media have frequently referred to injuries among police officers, this marks the first time the identity and medical details of an officer have been publicly disclosed.
During the ongoing protest movement, authorities have detained over 400 people under administrative law and more than 50 under criminal charges. Several demonstrators have been accused of violence against police officers, including “gang violence.” In some cases, the reported injuries include relatively minor ailments, such as bruises or sore hands.
Meanwhile, no law enforcement officers have been arrested, despite numerous reports by demonstrators and journalists alleging police violence and mistreatment, both in public and while in custody.
Footage circulated by independent media outlets has shown scenes of police using force against peaceful protesters.
The Ministry has not provided details like what object struck Zabakhidze, whether video evidence exists, and whether the alleged perpetrator was indeed a demonstrator. Authorities have also not disclosed under which legal statute the investigation is being conducted or whether the case has been referred to the courts.
