Georgian Interior Ministry responds to Elene Khoshtaria’s administrative detention allegations

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs on Saturday released a statement addressing the allegations made by Elene Khoshtaria, a leader of the opposition Coalition for Change, regarding her administrative detention.

In a statement, the Ministry asserted that all necessary procedures were carried out in full compliance with the law before her placement in a temporary detention facility.

The statement clarified that Khoshtaria was arrested on Friday near outside the Parliament building in the capital city of Tbilisi during a protest for disobedience to a lawful police demand and petty hooliganism, in accordance with Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences.

Following her detention, the Ministry stated that appropriate legal measures were taken. She was initially taken to the police administrative building and subsequently transferred to a temporary detention facility.

Before being placed in the detention facility, the detainee underwent procedures established by law, which are regulated by the order No. 423 of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, dated August 2, 2016.

The Ministry claimed that during these procedures, Khoshtaria violated the internal regulations of the detention facility by refusing to fully undergo the legally defined procedures and behaving aggressively. Despite repeated calls and legal explanations from the detention facility staff, she allegedly continued to refuse inspection.

The Ministry maintained that, due to safety regulations, all necessary procedures before placement in the temporary detention facility were conducted in full compliance with the law.

Furthermore, during the inspection, a substance suspected to be illegal was found in her possession, and the relevant examination has been assigned.

The procedures related to her placement in the detention facility were recorded on the facility’s surveillance cameras. If required, and in accordance with the law and the detainee’s consent, relevant authorities and human rights defenders have the opportunity to review the existing video recordings.

Additionally, after being placed in the temporary detention facility, Khoshtaria declined a meeting with a representative of the Public Defender’s Office.