Gori police abuse case shows ‘everyone equal before the law’, Mayor Kaladze

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has described the alleged police abuse of a man in the city of Gori as “a very serious fact”, while arguing that the authorities’ response demonstrated that no one is above the law in Georgia.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Kaladze said the footage of the incident would leave “no person indifferent”, but stressed that the reaction of law enforcement agencies was equally important.

“The fact itself was, of course, very serious and I am sure no one who saw the footage could remain indifferent,” Kaladze said.

“However, there is another very important issue here - the relevant agencies reacted. This is yet another confirmation that everyone is equal before the law and no one, regardless of who they are, will be allowed to violate the law while we turn a blind eye,” he added.

Kaladze was commenting on an incident in Gori in which law enforcement officers allegedly assaulted a citizen. Six people have been detained in connection with the case.

Responding to opposition claims that the incident reflected a systemic problem within the state, Kaladze rejected the accusation and said “systemic crimes” took place in Georgia before 2012.

“We remember very well what the situation was in Georgia at that time, how people with different opinions were treated and, in general, what processes were taking place,” he said.

“People clearly see the difference and are able to analyse what was happening in the country then and what reality we have today,” Kaladze added.