The trial is being held for six police officers accused of violence against Papuna Lotsulashvili: Alexi Badalovi, Beso Malatsidze, Giorgi Tskrialashvili, Saba Tsavelidze, Ivane Misireli, Vladimir Goderdzishvili, and Beso Malatsidze.

At today’s hearing, the court will discuss the preventive measures to be imposed on the detainees.

The Prosecutor’s Office is requesting the strictest preventive measure — pretrial detention — for the police officers. The defense lawyers, meanwhile, will request bail.

After Judge Levan Darbaidze recused himself from the case, the hearing is now being presided over by Judge Germane Dadeshkeliani.

None of the accused police officers are attending the proceedings. According to the defense lawyers, in response to Judge Germane Dadeshkeliani’s question, the detainees do not wish to attend the hearing.

It has also emerged that one of the accused law enforcement officers, Vladimir Goderdzishvili, was hospitalized after the incident. Papuna Lotsulashvili is accused of committing violence against him.

For reference, in Gori, in the so-called “Kombinati” settlement, law enforcement officers physically assaulted two individuals — Papuna Lotsulashvili and his friend.

In connection with the incident, six law enforcement officers have been arrested. They have been 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 prison sentence ranging from 5 to 8 years.

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