Repeated Violence against Prisoner Rudik Ovakimian

Prisoner Rudik Ovakimian placed in #19 Penitentiary Department accuses the prison administration of the beating.

On October 19th the head of Legal Department of Human Rights Center Nino Andriashvili visited the prisoner. According to her, Ovakimian had numerous signs of physical assault.

As the prisoner stated to the lawyer, he was called to the Medical Department where the psychiatrist stated that he would no longer receive psychotropic medicines – Sinorix and Optimal. The prisoner asked him to explain the reason of stopping these medicines. The doctor said that he was doing it by his “inner faith” and it was not necessary to ask extra questions.

Nino Andriashvili received explanation note from the prisoner. Ovakimian writes: “I stated that with the help of my lawyer I would question the psychiatrist’s decision. After coming out of the room the head of the department – Bacho Rodonaia physically assaulted me in the face, particularly – in the right eye and in the left lower limb. Somebody hit me in the right side as well. I do not know for sure who it was. Then I went down right away and contacted my lawyer Nino Andriashvili.”

According to Andriashvili, the prisoner is under constant threat. He stated with the lawyer that the administration advised him not to submit a complaint on this fact. But he refused to. Then he was threatened: “Blame yourself for what will happen.”

Nino Andriashvili addressed the Ministry of Penitentiary, Ministry of Corrections and legal Assistance and Main Office of Prosecutor and added the explanation note of Rudik Ovakimian. The lawyer filed the criminal case and requested the proper reaction. No response has been made to the letter yet.

Nino Andriashvili has numerous times publicized the facts of violence and ill-treatment of prisoner Rudik Ovakimian. A month ago Ovakimian was threatened “to be transferred to morgue” in #8 medical department.

Mariam Khurtsidze