A week of fierce demonstrations in Georgia has seen special forces violently handling protesters who are challenging the government’s controversial decision to delay its bid to join the European Union.
Watchdogs say that many of the scores of people arrested over the past week have been subjected to brutal treatment by police and special forces.
CNN spoke to 10 protesters, including five journalists and an opposition politician, who said they were beaten by special forces – masked, unidentifiable men.
Mariam Nikuradze, a reporter at OC Media, said the special forces get “angry” when they see their actions being filmed.
Giorgi Arjevanidze/AFP/Getty Images‘Men in black’Critics are troubled by the government’s growing reliance on these special forces to try to stem protests.
Persons:
Giorgi Arjevanidze, –, Irakli Kobakhidze, Aleksandre, Salome Zourabichvili, “, ” Keshelashvili, Keshelashvili, ‘ I’m, ’ ” Keshelashvili, ”, Rogava, Zourabichvili, Mariam Nikuradze, I’ve, ” Nikuradze, …, ” Erekle, ” Loladze, Shota Murtskhvaladze, ” Zourabichvili, Elene Khoshtaria, Khoshtaria, “ Elene, Nika Gvaramia, Gvaramia, Giorgi Gamgebeli, Will
Organizations:
CNN, European Union, Soviet, country’s Ministry, Internal Affairs, Getty, EU, Georgian, Formula TV, OC Media, Georgian Young Lawyers ’ Association, Police, Coalition for
Locations:
Georgia, Tbilisi, AFP, Georgian, Russia, aFP, Belarus