Alexander Kheshelashvili, a reporter for the online outlet Publika, described his harrowing experience of being beaten, humiliated, and tortured while covering a demonstration.
"On November 29, I was standing at Chichinadze Street when I saw a group of masked men rush out," Kheshelashvili recalled. "I thought they were arresting a citizen. I started to back away to film from a safer spot, but they grabbed me, pulled me into their circle, and immediately began beating me."
Kheshelashvili said he repeatedly identified himself as a journalist, shouting, "I'm a journalist!" However, this only provoked further abuse. "‘So what if you're a journalist?’ they cursed at me. At that moment, I realized it didn’t matter who I was or what my profession was. All that mattered to them was having someone to beat, and they were doing it with great enthusiasm."
Despite wearing clear identification markers—a helmet, gas mask, large press badge, and two cameras—police ignored his credentials. "They took everything from me and set up a gauntlet of officers. As they led me through, they punched me from all sides," he said. "I tried to stay on my feet, but I collapsed multiple times. They kept coming from behind to strike me, and my only goal was to endure as long as I could."
At one point, Kheshelashvili said he thought the beating had ended, but he looked up and was struck so hard he temporarily lost consciousness. "When I woke up, they dragged me behind the parliament building. I remember saying, ‘I can’t take this anymore. Just arrest me and stop beating me."
In detention, his ordeal continued. "Doctors insisted we be taken to a hospital immediately. One detainee kept passing out, and I had uncontrollable bleeding. But they didn’t remove my handcuffs or offer water for a long time," he said.
Authorities presented Kheshelashvili with a fabricated confession. "They gave me a document claiming I was loudly cursing and insulting the police. It was a blatant lie. I refused to sign it," he explained. Only after this did he receive medical attention.
Kheshelashvili underwent surgery for multiple nasal fractures and remains under medical observation due to head injuries. "The injuries could still develop further complications," he noted.
Keshelashvili’s testimony adds to growing concerns over police brutality and suppression of dissent in Georgia.
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