During a full inspection by law enforcement officers, an individual should not be required to expose multiple parts of their body simultaneously—such a practice constitutes degrading and humiliating treatment, Georgia’s Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, stated in response to publicly shared information regarding the detention of one of the leaders of the "Coalition for Change," Elene Khoshtaria, and the alleged mistreatment she faced at the police station and the temporary detention facility.

According to the Ombudsman, the Public Defender’s Office will investigate the case on its own initiative and will address all relevant authorities for further action.

"The Public Defender responds to the publicly shared information regarding Elene Khoshtaria’s detention and the alleged mistreatment she faced at the police station and the temporary detention facility. It should be noted that during a full inspection by law enforcement officers, an individual should not be required to expose multiple parts of their body simultaneously—such a practice constitutes degrading and humiliating treatment.

Additionally, Article 5 of the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Temporary Detention Facilities states that a full strip search of an individual is not permitted. This is particularly concerning when it comes to the treatment of women.

It should also be noted that on March 29, Elene Khoshtaria refused to meet with a representative of the Public Defender’s Office at the pre-trial detention facility. A representative of the Ombudsman’s Office contacted Khoshtaria again after her release from detention, but she once again refused to cooperate with the office.

The Public Defender’s Office will investigate the case on its own initiative and will address all relevant authorities for further action," the statement reads.