Penitentiary Service states that the transfer of inmates to de-escalation cells at Rustavi’s Facility No. 6 was not linked to any expression of solidarity with Giorgi Davitadze; the agency has also released video footage

The Special Penitentiary Service is responding to a statement made by the mother of inmate Giorgi Davitadze, asserting that the transfer of inmates to de-escalation cells at Facility No. 6 was unrelated to any show of solidarity with Giorgi Davitadze.

As the agency explains, "On October 2, 2026, at 22:14, B. Ch. kicked Davit Nikolashvili, the Deputy Director of Facility No. 6, in the stomach as he attempted to enter the cell. At the same facility, on October 4, 2026, at 20:22, inmates J. J. and V. T. physically assaulted facility staff members upon returning from their exercise period. The Special Penitentiary Service addresses the statement made by the mother of convict Giorgi Davitadze—following her meeting with a representative of the Public Defender on the premises of Penitentiary Establishment No. 6—claiming that convict Giorgi Davitadze would not transfer to the civilian clinic Vivamedi until the convicts who had allegedly expressed solidarity with him were removed from de-escalation cells. We state with full responsibility that the information disseminated by convict Davitadze’s mother is false.

In reality, the transfer of convicts to de-escalation cells at Establishment No. 6 was not linked to any expression of solidarity with Giorgi Davitadze. Their transfer to de-escalation cells was carried out in accordance with legal requirements to ensure the safety of both the convicts themselves and other individuals (facility staff).

Specifically, on October 2, 2026, at 22:14, B. Ch. kicked Davit Nikolaishvili, the Deputy Director of Establishment No. 6, in the stomach as he attempted to enter the cell. Additionally, on October 4, 2026, at 20:22, convicts J.J. and V.T. physically assaulted staff members of the same facility upon returning from their exercise period.

We wish to clarify that an attack on a Penitentiary Service employee constitutes a serious criminal offense, and the Service will not tolerate the overlooking of any instance of violence or assault against its staff. Each such incident will be subject to appropriate legal assessment and the response prescribed by law.

It is precisely for the aforementioned reasons that the convicts were placed in de-escalation cells; this action is in no way linked to the solidarity expressed for convict Giorgi Davitadze, contrary to the narrative his family members are attempting to promote.

We reiterate that any decision within the facility is made in accordance with the Penitentiary Code, the facility’s regulations, and the daily schedule. Therefore, it is impermissible to link the aforementioned decisions without justification," reads the statement.

The agency also released footage showing prisoners physically assaulting representatives of the institution, including the deputy prison warden.