Database/Political Prisoners/Anzor Kvaratskhelia

Anzor Kvaratskhelia

Sentenced
Sentence: 4 years 6 months
Art. 353.1.1

Article 353¹(1) – Assault on a police officer.

Case Details

He is accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at a riot police officer. However, no police officer testified in court to having been injured. Two police witnesses confirmed the bottle did not hit them; it landed on the road, and they extinguished the fire. Police claim he confessed during arrest, but in court he retracted, stating he was coerced. He was arrested at home, where both he and his sister were physically assaulted by officers. Following the incident, his wife suffered a miscarriage due to stress.

Defense Arguments

Confession was coerced. No police officer was injured. Bottle landed on road.

Procedural Issues

Coerced confession. Physical assault during arrest — wife suffered miscarriage from stress.

Personal Background

Married. His wife suffered a miscarriage due to stress caused by his arrest.