Police officers arrested for assault on disabled minor denied bail
The two officers were arrested two days ago following the release of video footage showing the incident in the station, during which an individual accompanying a deaf minor is seen attempting to explain their disability to the policemen. Photo: IPN.
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Tbilisi City Court has denied bail to two police officers, Nukri Bakradze and Kakhaber Bakashvili, who were arrested on Tuesday for a physical assault on a disabled 17-year-old in Tbilisi Metro on Sunday.
In his comments on the ruling, judge Mikheil Jinjolia said “based on the standard of substantiated presumption, the crime committed against a person with disabilities was committed for no reason by police officers who are supposed to maintain order.”
Bakashvili’s defence had requested a bail of 10,000 GEL (about $3,200/€2,900) for the client, while the lawyer for Bakradze had appealed for a bail set at 20,000 GEL.
Prosecutor Aleksandre Chkheidze said earlier today the detainees refused to admit to the charge, despite the fact that they were working the police shift at Isani metro station, where the incident took place and was filmed, on Sunday. Chkheidze added there was a risk of flight, or attempts to influence witnesses, by the defendants if released on bail.
The two officers were arrested two days ago following the release of video footage showing the incident in the station, during which an individual accompanying a deaf minor is seen attempting to explain their disability to the policemen.
The latter reject the explanation and take the disabled person to the police staff room at the station, where one of the officers repeatedly punches the minor in the head.
Bakradze is charged with committing degrading and inhumane treatment, while Bakashvili is accused of abuse of official authority.
The next trial date for the case is scheduled for March 15.