Border police officer charged with abuse of powers after handcuffing foreign tourists in nature reserve

A border police employee has been charged with abuse of powers by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia with abuse of powers after he fired a warning shot and handcuffed two foreign tourists during their visit to a nature reserve in the country’s east.

The body said on Thursday the offender had confronted the visitors in Vashlovani Reserve while under the influence of alcohol late during the night on Sunday.

It added the Special Investigation Service’s inquiry had revealed the employee had illegally fired his firearm into the air while confronting the visitors, and demanded to see their papers, even though the tourists had presented the documents during checks prior to the incident. 

He then proceeded to place handcuffs on the visitors following the request.

The offender is facing five to eight years in prison if found guilty.