Court Does not Discuss Merab Katamadze’s Case

 Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti

Member of political council of the Republic Party, former single mandate candidate from Akhmeta district Merab Katamadze is accused in illegal purchase, possession and storage of firearms. Two years ago, court imposed bail on Katamadze; his case was sent to the Tbilisi City Court for further discussion though not started yet.

“On June 27, 2009, at about 6:00 pm I was kidnapped near the central office of the Republic Party (Griboedov Str. 13) and was taken to the Criminal Police Department of MIA where a criminal accusation was fabricated against me,” said Merab Katamadze, “initially they charged me for car-accident; then for illegal purchase-possession of firearms and finally, they burdened the charge and accused me under Article 236 Part I and II of the Criminal Code of Georgia – illegal purchase, possession and carriage of firearms; Tengiz Kharebava was prosecutor in my case. The only evidence against me in the case materials was testimonies of police officers (Criminal Police officers Irakli Abashidze, Elizbar Neparidze, Irakli Jikurashvili, Giorgi Darjania, Nikoloz Kvaratskhelia) and the withdrawn weapon that I have never seen; the court did not carry out Dactiloscope expertise on the weapon. I spent one day in the pretrial detention setting and second day in Gldani prison. I did not plead guilty. On June 29, 2009 Judge Mileri Kharebava imposed bail of 5 000 GEL on me.”

Katamadze added four investigators were working on his case throughout one year. “None of them sufficiently investigated my case; I have not met some of them. Some witness police officers were promoted; others were moved to other jobs or dismissed from police at all. On June 20, 2010 I was summoned that my case was sent to the Court. Of course, I do not plead myself guilty. What will the judge decide? Of course, it is already clear that he will agree with the police officers – nobody doubts about it. So, the judge will find me guilty by all means.”

Spokesperson of the Tbilisi City Court Keti Basilashvili replied to our question, why the court has not discussed Katamadze’s case so far. “It is not within the competence of the spokesperson to release information about similar issues. You should send written petition to the court.”

On May 21, 2008 Merab Katamadze participated in the parliamentary elections and his rival in it was Petre Tsiskarishvili from the ruling party. In spring of 2009, Katamadze actively participated in the protest demonstrations of the opposition parties. Georgian non-governmental organizations put Merab Katamadze on the list of political prisoners.