Patrol inspector Aleksi Badalov, who participated in the alleged violence against Papuna Lotsulashvili, does not admit guilt. This was stated by his lawyer, Nodar Tsintsadze.

As the lawyer said before the start of the hearing at the Gori District Court, the evidence in the case does not establish Badalov’s guilt.

The court session, which was supposed to start a few minutes earlier at the Gori District Court, was assigned to Judge Levan Darbaidze, however he recused himself from the case. It later emerged that he is related to one of the detainees.

At this time, the process of assigning the case to another judge is ongoing.

“After reviewing the case materials, it has been established that he does not plead guilty. I will speak about other details after the hearing. Mere appearance in the footage does not confirm the charge brought against him — specifically, abuse of official authority through violence. However, based on the footage that has been released, no violent or unlawful action by this person can be identified.

I cannot assess the actions of others, but I categorically tell you that this person arrived at the scene on the basis of an official call-out. At this stage, I do not know further details; I had only 15 minutes to review the case materials. He is charged with abuse of official authority through violence, but these are not substantiated by evidence,” Tsintsadze said.

In response to a question about whether the accused police officer had inquired about the victim’s health condition, the lawyer said he has not yet spoken with his client.

“The answer to your question is not contained in the case materials I received. I have not spoken with him yet,” Tsintsadze said.

For context, in Gori’s so-called Kombinati settlement, law enforcement officers physically assaulted two individuals — Papuna Lotsulashvili and his friend.

Six law enforcement officers have been detained in connection with the incident and are charged under Article 333, Part 3, Subparagraph “b” of the Criminal Code, which concerns abuse of official authority committed with violence. The offense carries a sentence of 5 to 8 years in prison.

An investigation has also been launched against Papuna Lotsulashvili under Article 353 of the Criminal Code, which concerns violence against a police officer.