Interior Ministry launches investigation into alleged sexual abuse against minors

The Georgian Interior Ministry, on May 1, launched an investigation into alleged lewd acts against minors in the country’s western town of Vani, the Ministry announced on Sunday.

According to the reports on social media platforms, a driver of the school bus had allegedly verbally and physically harassed the underage students. The video of the sexual abuse was published by the minors, who had earlier informed their parents about the incident. The school principal, who is also the driver’s wife, resigned after the allegations against her husband.

The minors in the presence of their legal representatives - parents, as well as the school students and teachers, have been questioned within the investigation, the state body noted, adding the Ministry was carrying out “all necessary” investigative actions.

Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani earlier today also made a statement regarding the video footage and called on the investigative bodies to respond to the incident in a “timely and effective manner”, adding the Public Defender’s office would study the mentioned case.

Ioseliani also urged all media outlets to ensure the protection of children’s privacy and take into account their best interests, regardless of the high public interest in the incident. He stressed the importance of providing appropriate psycho-social services to the affected minors.