“We demand an immediate, effective, and comprehensive response from the authorities to the serious allegations made by Giorgi Davitaze, a convicted prisoner held at Rustavi No. 6 Penitentiary Institution, and his family members, according to which Giorgi Davitaze was subjected to sexual violence, including rape, by employees of the penitentiary institution on December 21, 2025,” a joint statement by non-governmental organizations said.

The statement says that the video footage released by the Penitentiary Service cannot replace an independent and effective investigation.

“We, the undersigned organizations, demand an immediate, effective, and comprehensive response from the authorities to the serious allegations made by Giorgi Davitaze, a convicted prisoner held at Rustavi No. 6 Penitentiary Institution, and his family members, according to which Giorgi Davitaze was subjected to sexual violence, including rape, by employees of the penitentiary institution on December 21, 2025.

The video footage released today by the Special Penitentiary Service, along with its explanation that Giorgi Davitaze was searched and inspected when he was transferred to the de-escalation cell, cannot be considered an adequate response to these serious allegations. On the contrary, the material released raises even more clearly the question of what happened in the de-escalation cell and what actions were taken there by the penitentiary employees present.

The information released by the Penitentiary Service does not answer a number of essential questions:

What specific grounds necessitated Giorgi Davitaze’s transfer to the de-escalation cell?

What specific action preceded his transfer?

Was placing him in the de-escalation cell a necessary and proportionate measure?

Why was it necessary for approximately ten employees to enter his cell?

Who were those employees, and what actions did each of them take?

Does the released video constitute the complete and uninterrupted recording of the relevant episode(s) from December 21, 2025?

Has the original recording been preserved, and can its authenticity and continuity be independently verified?

Are there recordings from other cameras that fully document Giorgi Davitaze’s movements and treatment during the relevant period?

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

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

It should additionally be noted in this case that the statements made by Giorgi Davitaze and his family members refer to specific employees of the Penitentiary Service, including specific officials who, according to their allegations, may have given or carried out orders related to the alleged violence. The allegations can be confirmed or disproved only through a comprehensive, independent, and evidence-based investigation.

If the actions described as having been committed against Giorgi Davitaze are confirmed, the case should be considered not only under the relevant provisions concerning serious sexual offenses, but also as treatment contrary to the prohibition of torture against a person in state custody - a prisoner - which is absolutely prohibited under the Constitution of Georgia and international human rights law.

At the same time, before the investigation is completed, it is inadmissible for any state body to itself determine that the allegations are ‘completely false.’ The purpose of an effective investigation is precisely to establish what actually happened.

Based on the above, we demand:

An immediate, comprehensive, independent, impartial, and effective investigation into the alleged sexual violence and other ill-treatment of Giorgi Davitaze;

The preservation in full and provision to the investigation, as well as to Giorgi Davitaze’s defense lawyers, of all video recordings from December 21, 2025, including the original and uninterrupted camera footage, as well as technical data confirming their authenticity and integrity;

The identification of all employees who participated in Giorgi Davitaze’s transfer to the de-escalation cell and in the actions carried out against him there, and their separate questioning;

A full medical and forensic medical examination of Giorgi Davitaze by independent specialists, with all relevant medical, forensic, video, and other evidence preserved;

Protection of Giorgi Davitaze, his family members, and potential witnesses from any pressure, intimidation, or retaliation;

In the interests of the investigation, the exclusion of any possibility for persons who may have been involved in the alleged violence to influence evidence or interfere with the investigation;

An examination not only of the responsibility of the direct perpetrators, but also of the responsibility of officials who may have issued relevant orders, been aware of the alleged violence, or failed to adequately prevent or investigate it.

Torture, sexual violence, or any other form of ill-treatment of a prisoner, if established, cannot be justified by disciplinary violations, insults toward employees, disobedience, or any other circumstances.

If the investigation establishes that severe violence was committed against Giorgi Davitaze or that representatives of the penitentiary system abused their authority, the issue of both legal and relevant political responsibility must be raised, including the responsibility of the leadership of the penitentiary system and the Minister of Justice,” the statement said.

The organizations that signed the statement are:

• Transparency International - Georgia
• Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association
• Defenders of Democracy
• Academy for the Future of Georgia
• Prevention for Progress
• European-Georgian Institute (EGI)
• European Orbit of Georgia
• Democracy Research Institute (DRI)
• Sapari
• Civil Society Foundation
• Social Justice Center
• International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy
• Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)
• Economic Policy Research Center.