Categories
Journalistic Survey
Articles
Reportage
Analitic
Photo Reportage
Exclusive
Interview
Foreign Media about Georgia
Editorial
Position
Reader's opinion
Blog
Themes
Children's Rights
Women's Rights
Justice
Refugees/IDPs
Minorities
Media
Army
Health
Corruption
Elections
Education
Penitentiary
Religion
Others

Eric Fournier Does Not Plan to Visit Tsotne Gamsakhurdia in Jail

April 21, 2011
French Ambassador to Georgia Eric Fournier does not plan to visit Tsotne Gamsakhurdia in jail. Eric Fournier told the News Agency “Pirveli” that he is not going to visit the son of the first president of Georgia in jail. “I did not request permission to meet this person,” he said.

Keti Bekauri, lawyer of Tsotne Gamsakhurdia, alleged that the Minister of Corrections and Legal Aid of Georgia Khatuna Kalmakhelidze does not allow French Ambassador Eric Fournier to see prisoners in jail.

“The ambassador invited me to the meeting where I informed him about the shortcomings in the case materials on Tsotne Gamsakhurdia as well as about general situation and inhuman treatment of prisoners in penitentiary system. In addition, I asked Mr. Fournier to visit Tsotne Gamsakhurdia in jail and he replied that he had attempted to see prisoners several times but Minister Khatuna Kalmakhelidze did not allow him; she had clarified to the Ambassador that he could visit only those prisoner who hold French citizenship,” Keti Bekauri told the Pirveli.

The lawyer said she had sent criminal case materials on Tsotne Gamsakhurdia to Eric Fournier four days ago.

“The French Ambassador was concerned about poor health conditions of Gamsakhurdia. He inquired whether case was sent to Strasbourg Court and if we had correspondence with the Court. All in all, I am pleased with meeting with Mr. Fournier. He had negative reaction on the case details and made notes in his book during our conversation. I do not know whether he will involve in the speeding up of the communication with the Strasbourg Court or not but I hope he will use his resources and send recommendation letter to the Government of Georgia,” Bekauri told the Pirveli.

She added Tsotne Gamsakhurdia has serious health problems: he has Hepatitis C and articulation and blood-vessel problems.

“The prisoner is in the isolated cell in Gldani jail hospital; he is not properly treated and cannot receive correspondence,” added the lawyer.

We remind the readers that Tsotne Gamsakhurdia serves imprisonment term for the attempted murder, illegal purchase-possession-wear of firearms and for the attempted bribery of the state official. The court imposed imprisonment of 14 years and 6 months on him.

In addition, two more criminal cases are launched against Tsotne Gamsakhurdia under Article 314-315 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. He is accused of espionage for Russia and participation in the attempted coup against the government of Georgia.

The court has not started investigation on the last accusations yet.

News Agency “Pirveli”  

News