Prison Torture Video Sparks Anger in Nation of Georgia

Minister steps down; guards replaced

Protests erupted after opposition television channels aired the footage, which appeared to show guards beating inmates and sexually assaulting one with a broom in a prison in the capital Tblisi.

The scandal has prompted the resignation of the minister responsible for prisons and comes less than two weeks before government elections.

In response to the footage, president Mikheil Saakashvili has deployed police in jails to replace prison officers.

He called the abuse on the video inhuman and said those who have committed any crimes will serve long jail terms.