Coalition for Change member Gela Khasaia sent to pre-trial detention

Tbilisi City Court on Wednesday ordered pre-trial detention for Gela Khasaia, a member of the Coalition for Change.

The decision was made by Judge Nana Shamatava.

At the hearing, Khasaia recalled the circumstances of his arrest, alleging he had been detained without explanation and mistreated by law enforcement officers.

“I left the rally around 9:30 p.m. and went to the metro. When I came out at Station Square and crossed the street, a car stopped in front of me and about 10 men appeared. One grabbed my wrist and tried to take my phone. I managed to lock it and then stopped resisting. They did not explain who they were or what they wanted and just shoved me into the car,” Khasaia told the court.

He added that officers mocked him during detention. Khasaia was detained late on September 29 and is charged with physical assault and evasion. The investigation is ongoing under Article 120 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which concerns intentional infliction of minor bodily harm.