Activist’s lawyer warns of ‘torture-like’ conditions amid ‘urgent medical need’

A lawyer for Georgian civil activist and educator Nino Datashvili has warned that her continued detention without urgent medical intervention amounts to inhumane treatment.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, attorney Tamar Gabodze said Datashvili requires two immediate surgeries to be able to move freely. She added that her client suffered from constant severe pain, significant mobility limitations, and a loss of physical strength.

“Keeping a person in prison while they endure continuous pain is equivalent to torture and degrading treatment,” Gabodze stated. She said evidence had confirmed that Datashvili was subjected to violence by school resource officers and stressed that imprisonment is worsening her post-surgery recovery needs.

Datashvili was arrested on 20 June in connection with an incident that occurred at Tbilisi City Court on 9 June. She has been charged under Article 353², Part 3 of the Criminal Code, which relates to assaulting a public official during the performance of their duties. The charge carries a penalty ranging from a fine to four to seven years in prison.

Gabodze called for immediate action to ensure Datashvili receives the necessary medical care outside the penitentiary system.