Georgian soldiers not involved in child abuse in CAR, says investigation

Two investigations by the United Nations (UN) and Georgian experts reveal there is no proof Georgian soldiers sexually abused children in the Central African Republic (CAR) while serving there in a peacekeeping mission.

UN and Georgian experts conducted two separate investigations into allegations allied soldiers were involved in the alleged sexual abuse of children in the CAR in 2014.

Georgia’s Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli announced the results of the investigations this morning, and said the country now wanted an apology for the false allegations, which alleged Georgian and French soldiers were responsible for the alleged abuse.

Khidasheli stressed investigations were held separately in two countries – in the CAR and Georgia. No sign of Georgians’ involvement in the crime was discovered in either of the investigations.

"We only have one request – that a new statement be made from the very same tribune that initially accused the Georgian soldiers,” Khidasheli said.

"We demand an apology and the acknowledgement that the previous statement was not true.”

In January 2016 the UN’s Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (UNCHR) issued a statement about international service members’ possible involvement in sexual abuse cases in the CAR in 2014.

The UNCHR report said the alleged offenders were members of Georgian and French contingents who were serving within an European Union (EU) force, and a soldier from another European country that was not named because "additional corroboration is needed” in that case.

The Georgian side launched an investigation into the allegations as soon as the statement emerged.

Georgia’s Defence Ministry temporarily relieved six employees including a Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces before the investigation was completed. It is not yet known whether these employees will be reinstated.

Meanwhile a team of investigators from the Ministry travelled to the CAR to talk to the victims and investigate the allegations from the site of the alleged assault. The team comprised of eight experts from various offices.

Georgia also closely cooperated with the UNCHR investigation.