The former head of Batumi prison # 3 and former security guard of Bacho Akhalaia (Defense Minister of Georgia), 33-year-old Jumber Zakaradze might be imprisoned for 30 years. The attorney of Zakaradze Archil Chopikashvili said that his client, who was accused in extorting money from prisoners, will have his preliminary detention term expired on July 9. Afterwards, the case will be sent to the court for substantial discussion.
According to Chopikashvili, deputies of Zakaradze – Shvelidze and Vashakidze – were also detained together with him.
The attorney reported that the only evidence against Zakaradze is the testimony of Temur Takidze, former policeman who was accused in swindle. Takidze said in his testimony that he used to hand in the money, collected from the prisoners, to the head of the prison.
“Since 2008, Takidze used to meet several prisoners he knew and told them to collect money for the head of the prison. In spring of 2009, Zakaradze resigned based on his personal letter. Takidze continued to collect money. When prisoners asked him whom he was giving the money to, Takidze blamed Zakaradze. The latter was detained based on Takidze’s testimony and it is the only evidence against him,” said Chopikashvili.
The attorney clarified that Zakaradze was the security guard of Bacho Akhalaia when the latter was the head of penitentiary department. Zakaradze and his deputies were arrested on April 9, 2010 in Batumi. The chief prosecutor’s office investigates the crime. There are more than 10 victimized prisoners in the case.
According to the bill of particulars “6 000 USD were extorted from the prisoner Zaza Dumbadze; 4 000 USD were extorted from the prisoner and former businessman Anzor Katamadze; 10 000 USD from the prisoner Alik Davitadze; 15 000 USD from the prisoner Zurab Beridze; 10 000 USD from the prisoner Genadi Khinikadze; 20 000 USD from the prisoner and former director of the so-called Khopa market Joni Zoidze and his partner Ilia Ananidze; the total amount of the extorted money is more than 100 000 USD. However, not only money was mentioned in this case. The investigation claims that director of the prison extorted 10 cube meters of wood from the family of prisoner Enver Chaghaladze with the support of the prisoner Temur Takidze. The wood was to be brought to the house of Zakaradze’s father-in-law in the village of Khutsubani in Kobuleti district. The road to his wife’s house was to be graveled as well. Other extorted things are note-books, golden jewelry and 6 calves.”
The accused Zakaradze had his two-month pretrial detention prolonged for one month. The investigation will finish on July 9.
According to the accusation, the prisoners paid money for improved living conditions in the custody and unrestricted movement; otherwise, they had to live in unbearable conditions.
According to Chopikashvili, deputies of Zakaradze – Shvelidze and Vashakidze – were also detained together with him.
The attorney reported that the only evidence against Zakaradze is the testimony of Temur Takidze, former policeman who was accused in swindle. Takidze said in his testimony that he used to hand in the money, collected from the prisoners, to the head of the prison.
“Since 2008, Takidze used to meet several prisoners he knew and told them to collect money for the head of the prison. In spring of 2009, Zakaradze resigned based on his personal letter. Takidze continued to collect money. When prisoners asked him whom he was giving the money to, Takidze blamed Zakaradze. The latter was detained based on Takidze’s testimony and it is the only evidence against him,” said Chopikashvili.
The attorney clarified that Zakaradze was the security guard of Bacho Akhalaia when the latter was the head of penitentiary department. Zakaradze and his deputies were arrested on April 9, 2010 in Batumi. The chief prosecutor’s office investigates the crime. There are more than 10 victimized prisoners in the case.
According to the bill of particulars “6 000 USD were extorted from the prisoner Zaza Dumbadze; 4 000 USD were extorted from the prisoner and former businessman Anzor Katamadze; 10 000 USD from the prisoner Alik Davitadze; 15 000 USD from the prisoner Zurab Beridze; 10 000 USD from the prisoner Genadi Khinikadze; 20 000 USD from the prisoner and former director of the so-called Khopa market Joni Zoidze and his partner Ilia Ananidze; the total amount of the extorted money is more than 100 000 USD. However, not only money was mentioned in this case. The investigation claims that director of the prison extorted 10 cube meters of wood from the family of prisoner Enver Chaghaladze with the support of the prisoner Temur Takidze. The wood was to be brought to the house of Zakaradze’s father-in-law in the village of Khutsubani in Kobuleti district. The road to his wife’s house was to be graveled as well. Other extorted things are note-books, golden jewelry and 6 calves.”
The accused Zakaradze had his two-month pretrial detention prolonged for one month. The investigation will finish on July 9.
According to the accusation, the prisoners paid money for improved living conditions in the custody and unrestricted movement; otherwise, they had to live in unbearable conditions.
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