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Prisoner Sentenced to 25 Year Imprisonment Breaks Silence

January 21, 2011
Saba Tsitsikashvili, Gori

“I am writing this letter with fear. Before, I was afraid but now I dare to inform you about the truth,” wrote Davit Gholijashvili from prison; he has been sentenced to 25 years for importing Subotex from Amsterdam. Former security officer Levan Alelishvili was imprisoned on the same charge, but several days later he was found dead in his cell. According to the police version, he hung himself, but there is another version which alleges that he was killed. The Special Operative Department of the MIA blames Davit Gholijashvili for bringing the Subotex to Alelishvili. Gholijashvili’s health conditions have worsened and he cannot move without help.

What happened in fact? Gori resident Davit Gholijashvili was detained on the Digomi motorway in Tbilisi on February 1, 2007. Three pills of Subotex were taken from his pocket.

“Suddenly, a black jeep blocked my way; people in civilian clothes jumped out of the cars and started to shoot in my direction; they shot the car wheels. Then they dragged me out of the car beat me, pushed me down on the ground and started to kick me; I could not understand who was beating me; everybody was kicking me. One of them was crying – kill him. I would like to add that I am a disabled person; I needed artificial joints in both hips”, recalled Davit Gholijashvili.

Afterwards, the SOD officers “found” three pills of Subotex in Gholijashvili’s pocket. The detainee started to shout that the pills did not belong to him. At the same time, the SOD officers inquired about his address and Gholijashvili replied to them that he lived  with his grandparents. The law enforcement officers went to his house with the detainee; the neighbors did not witness the search process.

“I personally witnessed one of the officers take a polyethylene bag with something in it and put in the house; I immediately asked him what he was doing but they knew that I had nobody to protect me and they did whatever they wanted. They withdraw the “evidence” but why did they stop the search at it? Why did they not continue to look for other evidence? They were in a hurry! I said goodbye to my grandparents; I think I saw them for the last time. It was difficult for me to walk, but the law enforcement officers made my conditions even worse; they were beating me at the knees. They dragged me down to the stairs and threatened  me with a second stage of harassment. I cannot explain what I endured. They took me to the city police station. I do not know which floor they dragged me up; there I learned that they had arrested Levan Alelishvili, who was a security officer at the airport. I had close friendship with him. He died in Rustavi prison # 6. People say he was killed. I requested a lawyer but they cursed me in reply! …I am still afraid to recall their faces. Now, writing this letter, I have lost interest in life. I do not care what they will do with me. What else can they do with me? In fact, they have shot me. They imposed such a long imprisonment on me – an innocent person. I only hope for God’s mercy,” wrote Davit Gholijashvili.

According to case material, Davit Gholijashvili arrived from Amsterdam two months before on December 27, 2006. He said he had travelled to Amsterdam for medical treatment of his legs and preparation for surgery. At the Tbilisi airport, he together with other passengers was strictly searched. Later, the law enforcement officers recalled that day during interrogation and accused him in importing 200 pills of Subotex from Amsterdam.

“They made me sit on the sofa and compelled me to admit that a certain Dato gave me Subotex in Amsterdam to take to Tbilisi where I had to give it to a certain Achiko in the airport. As Achiko did not meet me there, I left the narcotic pills on the bus but he could control only airport. Afterwards, they took me into another room and there I met a person who tried to remind me of his presence in the airport at the moment of my arrival. He asked: “Do you know who I am? I made a trick against Levan Maruashvili too and he was fired from job.” Maruashvili was Levan Alelishvili’s neighbor and they were friends. Levan was headed of jail and maybe the stranger wanted to explain that he was fired from work based on his testimonies. He said he was sorry for me – pretended to be worrying about me. He said Levan had stolen my phone which I had lost several days before. Afterwards, investigator Roni Meskhi entered the room and they started negotiation with me to make a confession in his presence as if Levan Alelishvili had ordered me to bring Subotex from Amsterdam. They told me to blame Levan Alelishvili in selling Subotex during cross-interrogation if I wanted freedom. Roni Meskhi promised me I could leave prison in 4 years if I confessed. He asked me to assist them in resolving the airport case. I had a similar situation. Simultaneously, I was permanently beaten in the stomach to get my confession,” recalled Davit Gholijashvili.

Davit Gholijashvili gave a confession to the prosecutor. However, the promised plea-agreement was not signed with him. The case was discussed by the Supreme Court too and the initial judgment was not changed. The father of Davit Gholijashvili said his son has so poor health that he might die without attention.

“He cannot walk or move independently; he cannot even get up from the bed without help. He has serious problems. How can a person be treated like that?! Can you imagine, he is accused in importing Subotex from Amsterdam after he had left the airport where the border-police could not find anything illegal on him? He is blamed in putting 600 pills of Subotex on the airport bus though there is no witness or evidence to prove it.  There is no testimony from the late Levan Alelishvili in cooperation with whom my son is blamed in,” said the father of Davit Gholijashvili, Vakhtang Gholijashvili.

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