From March 1, 2025, to February 20, 2026, the Public Defender’s Office monitored individuals detained during protests. During this period, 131 people were visited in temporary detention facilities or penitentiary institutions. Among them:

• 35 individuals (26.7%) reported alleged mistreatment by police,
• 17 detainees suffered physical injuries.

The report notes that compared to 2024, both the number of arrests and reported cases of alleged mistreatment during protests decreased, largely due to a reduction in the scale of demonstrations.

“Despite this, several detainees reported humiliating and degrading treatment. During meetings with the Public Defender’s representatives, detainees described physical violence, verbal insults, excessive handcuffing, and being restrained with hands behind the back for several hours. They also recalled instances of disproportionate and rough force by police,” the report states.

In some cases, detainees were fully stripped and subjected to so-called ‘bookings’ in temporary detention centers.

Intervention and Investigation:

• 27 detainees requested the Public Defender’s office to investigate alleged mistreatment.
• The office contacted investigative authorities in response.
• Investigations were opened for 10 detainees under abuse of official authority by excessive use of force.
• For 7 detainees, no investigation was initiated due to a lack of evidence.

The report emphasizes that monitoring by the Ombudsman’s office in 2025 remained active, with a total of 573 individuals visited during protests throughout the year. Among them, 302 reported alleged mistreatment, and 194 suffered physical injuries, including 49 women and 2 minors.

“Compared to 2024, the number of arrests and alleged mistreatment decreased, mainly due to smaller protest scales. Nevertheless, detainees continued to report humiliating, degrading, and disproportionate treatment by police,” the report notes.