Hunger Striker in front of Batumi Prison # 3

Shalva Putkaradze, 18 has been hunger striking in front of the Batumi Prison # 3 for six days now. He started his protest on December 31, 2008. The reason for this is that his wife Irina Sharadze, 18 was arrested and is now serving her pre trial sentence for changing testimony in Batumi Prison # 3. Shalva Putkaradze demands that his wife be released and a plea bargain agreement be made in her case.

Irina Sharadze moved to Shalva Putkaradze’s house at the end of December, 2008. They were planning to officially marry. Even though Irina is an adult, her mother forced her to return home on the second day. Irina’s mother also forced her to go to police and testify against Shalva. The girl went to the police and stated that Shalva Putkaradze had kidnapped her. However, on the very same Irina returned to Shalva’s house and they officially married.

A criminal case was launched against Shalva Putkaradze based on Irina’s testimony. After having returned to her husband’s house, Irina went to the police and changed her testimony stating that her mother forced her to accuse her husband in abduction. She said that there was no abduction at all and she married her husband on her own. As a consequence of this, Irina Sharadze was detained on December 9, 2008 and charged for changing the testimony.
Irina Sharadze is in Batumi Prison # 3 now. According to Georgian law she committed a minor offence by changing her testimony. If convicted, the girl will face 2-4 years of prison term. The court imposed two months of pretrial detention on her so far.
 
The Human Rights Center contacted Avto Kiladze, the Batumi District Prosecutor regarding this case. However, he refused to comment. 
 

Maka Malakmadze, Batumi