Human Rights Center Requests Release of Victim of Torture

Human Rights Center has addressed Joint Permanent Commission of Ministry of Health and Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance for early release of Tamaz Rasoiani.

Physical and Psychological torture exercised in the prisons caused him significant health damage. Part 2 of article 37 of the Imprisonment Code gives the list of those illnesses which are grounds for early release of the prisoner. Tamaz Rasoiani is sick with the illnesses listed in this provision thus can be released early.

Tamaz Rasoiani does not plead guilty in charge of murder due to which he was arrested in 2004. However, he has almost served the sentence envisaged for this crime and is currently serving another sentence which was added in the prison. Considering the principle of aggregation of sentences, in sum he is sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Human Rights Center addressed Office of Prosecutor to re-examine another charge imposed against Tamaz Rasoiani -  membership of criminal world. It should be taken into account that before arrest Rasoiani was taking care of his family by washing cars and he did not live by criminal traditions. This charge was imposed against him after having conflict with the prison administration when he along with other prisoners tried to reveal the corruption existing in the prison. Other prisoners were forced to give testimonies against him and are ready to give the real testimonies to the Office of Prosecutor now.

Besides, Tamaz Rasoiani was a witness of prison revolt in Ortachala prison in 2006. His testimony was published by Human Rights Center on October 15th of 2012. Human Rightrs Center had addressed Office of Prosecutor back then to study the given information.

Human Rights Center is addressing the Chief Office of Prosecutor to timely study the cases of victims of prisoners and to relevantly react within its competence. Case of Tamaz Rasoiani is one of the prominent cases of how the victims of torture were treated when they tried to protect their rights and protested against the prison violence.

At 12:00 pm on July 16th, in the conference hall of Human Rights House Tbilisi, Human Rights Center is holding a press conference regarding case of Tamaz Rasoiani. Family of the prisoner will also attend the press conference.

Human Rights Center