Recruit says he was beaten at a training centre, Defence Ministry responds

A 19-year-old recruit Kazim Gakhramov says that several people tried to extort money from him and several others and then physically abused them.

We [recruits] were called at 2 pm on that day and demanded money from us. We refused to do so and they beat us brutally,” Gakhramov told the opposition-minded Rustavi 2 private broadcaster and added that the “illegality” took place with the presence of Sergeant Undiladze.

The Ministry of Defence says that the investigation has been launched regarding the issue and the people mentioned by the recruit have been interrogated, who “refuse any type of violence.”

Family told the Rustavi 2 private broadcaster that the recruit has been taken to hospital. 

Based on preliminary information, such an incident has not been confirmed. However, if the accusations are confirmed to be true, everyone involved will be held accountable,” the ministry says.

The military police is now interrogating the recruit.

The investigation has been launched for possible money extortion and violence, which is punishable by imprisonment of up to three years.