Last night and today, Public Defender's representatives visited 9 persons detained on administrative charges.

Some of the detainees indicated unethical treatment and verbal abuse by the police, while two of them reported alleged use of excessive force and ill-treatment by the police.

The Public Defender's Office has appealed to the Special Investigation Service for further legal response. The Office will also take appropriate action regarding other violations of rights.

In addition, it is known to the public that the Public Defender has already responded to the regulation banning the wearing of face masks (which was indicated as one of the grounds for detention by the citizens) and explained that although such restrictions apply in many Western countries, in most cases, legislation of these countries, international human rights standards and the practice of the European Court of Human Rights indicate that this ban is not unconditional or blanket. It is important for the legislation to maintain a balance between freedom of expression and security interests.

The Public Defender's Office will continue to work on the above issue. You can provide us with information about human rights violations by calling the Public Defender's Office hotline - 1481.