Statements

We, the undersigned organisations, call on the authorities to respond immediately, effectively and comprehensively to the serious allegations made by Giorgi Davitadze, a prisoner held at Rustavi Prison No. 6, and his family members, according to which, on 21 December 2025, Giorgi Davidadze was subjected to sexual violence, including rape, by staff members of the penitentiary institution.

The video footage released today by the Special Penitentiary Service, together with its explanation that Giorgi Davitadze was subjected to a search and inspection when he was transferred to a de-escalation cell, cannot be regarded as an adequate response to these grave allegations. On the contrary, the material released raises an even more pressing question: what happened in the de-escalation cell, and what actions were taken there by the penitentiary staff present?

The information released by the Penitentiary Service leaves a number of critical questions unanswered:

• What specific grounds necessitated Giorgi Davitadze’s transfer to the de-escalation cell?
• What specific conduct or incident preceded his transfer? 
• Was his placement in the de-escalation cell a necessary and proportionate measure?
• Why was it necessary for approximately ten staff members to enter his cell?
• Who were these staff members, and what actions did each of them take?
• Does the video footage released constitute the complete and continuous recording of the relevant episode or episodes of 21 December 2025?
• Has the original recording been preserved, and can its authenticity and continuity be independently verified?
• Are there recordings from other cameras that fully capture Giorgi Davitadze’s movements and the treatment to which he was subjected during the relevant period?

It is particularly important to emphasise that the video footage released by the Penitentiary Service cannot substitute for an independent and effective investigation.

According to the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, where there is a credible and arguable allegation of torture or other serious ill-treatment, the State has an obligation to conduct a prompt and effective investigation. In such circumstances, the authorities must take all reasonable measures to secure the relevant evidence and must not rely on hasty or unfounded conclusions. These requirements assume particular importance in cases involving allegations of sexual violence and rape.

It should also be emphasised that, in this case, the statements made by Giorgi Davitadze and his family members identify specific staff members of the Penitentiary Service, including particular officials who, according to their allegations, may have ordered or carried out acts of violence. Whether these allegations are substantiated or disproved can only be established through a thorough, independent and evidence-based investigation.

If the acts described in relation to Giorgi Davitadze are substantiated, the matter must be considered not only in terms of the applicable criminal-law provisions concerning serious sexual offences, but also as treatment contrary to the absolute prohibition of torture, in respect of a prisoner—a person under the State’s effective control. Such conduct is absolutely prohibited under the Constitution of Georgia and international human rights law.

At the same time, it is impermissible for any State authority, before the investigation has been completed, to determine itself that the allegations are “completely false”. The very purpose of an effective investigation is to establish what actually happened.

In light of the foregoing, we demand:

1. An immediate, thorough, independent, impartial and effective investigation into the alleged sexual violence and other forms of ill-treatment inflicted on Giorgi Davitadze;
2. The preservation in full and the provision to the investigation, as well as to Giorgi Davitadze’s defence lawyers, of all video recordings from 21 December 2025, including the original and continuous footage from the relevant cameras, together with the technical data necessary to establish their authenticity and integrity;
3. The identification of all staff members involved in Giorgi Davitadze’s transfer to the de-escalation cell and in the actions taken against him there, and their questioning separately from one another;
4. The provision of a comprehensive medical and forensic medical examination of Giorgi Davitadze by independent specialists, and the preservation of all relevant medical, forensic, video and other evidence;
5. The protection of Giorgi Davitadze, his family members and any potential witnesses against any form of pressure, intimidation or retaliation;
6. In the interests of the investigation, the exclusion of any possibility for persons who may have been involved in the alleged violence to interfere with evidence or otherwise influence the course of the investigation;
7. The determination of the responsibility not only of the direct perpetrators, but also of those officials who may have ordered the relevant acts, been aware of the alleged violence, or failed adequately to prevent or investigate it.

Torture, sexual violence or any other form of ill-treatment of a prisoner, if substantiated, cannot be justified on the grounds of a disciplinary offence, insults directed at staff, disobedience or any other circumstance.

If the investigation establishes that Giorgi Davitadze was subjected to serious violence or that representatives of the penitentiary system abused their powers, this must give rise to both legal and appropriate political accountability, including the accountability of the leadership of the penitentiary system and the Minister of Justice.

 

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Transparency International Georgia

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association

Defenders of Democracy

Georgia’s Future Academy

Prevention for Progress

European-Georgian Institute (EGI)

European Orbit of Georgia

Democracy Research Institute (DRI)

Sapari

Civil Society Foundation

Social Justice Center

The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)

Economic Policy Research Center

Green Alternative