Elene Tevdoradze – Bacho Akhalaia was executor not who gave orders during Prison Riot

“During the prison riot I saw Bacho Akhalaia was the executor, not the one who gave orders, the Chairperson of the Parole Board, a former member of National Movement Elene Tevdoradze said on “Politrmetri”. 

She said Akhalaia was implementing the orders of Adeishvili, Merabishvili and Bokeria.

“I arrived at the prison area during the riot at about 01:30 am because prisoners called me and said they had occupied the prison, army was deployed in the prison and asked me to come to protect them. I saw Bacho Akhalaia was the executor and not the one who gave orders there; he was approaching Adeishvili, Merabishvili, and Bokeria in turn to get their instructions. I offered to Merabislivhili I would enter the prison, take prisoners into cells and everything would be over. Initially he agreed, though as I was about to enter the prison together with Sozar Subari, then representative of Merabishvili came to me and said they changed mind. Then suddenly they opened fire; we did not expect it because Vano Merabishili had promised they would open fire”, Tevdoradze said.

As for Data Akhalaia, Elene Tevodardze - the former Chairperson of the Human Rights Protection Committee of Parliament said that he was used as a “cleaner”.

“I don’t know Data Akhalaia, I only talked with him on the phone when he breached human rights. I used to contact Megis Kardava personally and it makes me feel bad when I remember meeting with him. You also remember Vasil Sanodze; he and Data Akhalaia were used as “Cleaners”. I hate all those people, who breached human rights, acted ruthlessly and were saying that it was necessary. I didn’t think that Megis Kardava was a member of the core team of the National Movement; God saved me from having him in the same team I was. We had contraversy. I remember once, when he was the director of the Prison # 7 I visited the establishment and there was strange silence in the premise. I asked what was happening. “Let anybody dare to laugh, I’ll go and beat him”, he said. I was shocked, I ran to Bacho and told him who he had as a director”, Tevdoradze said.

Tevdoradze said Bacho Akhalaia was a good human rights defender when he was a Deputy Public Defender, and she can’t understand what happened [with him] afterwards.

“I think that it was not Bacho Akhalaia’s choice. I’m sure in it. If both brothers are ready to say what they know and not take all the responsibility themselves, it will be more correct decision of them, though I doubt Data Akhalaia will arrive. Will entire family go to prison?” Elene Tevdoradze said.

Interpresnews