Statement of Human Rights Center regarding trial of Bachana Akhalaia

On July 31st, judge of Tbilisi City Court Giorgi Darakhvelidze made verdict of not guilty towards Bachana Akhalaia, Gigi Kalandadze and other defendants in the case.

At this stage we would like to draw attention to the fact that the final hearing was held in courtroom #3 which is comparatively smaller size. It should be noted that this case draws special public interest and the hearings were always attended by large amounts of people, Therefore the hearings were held in the large courtroom #1 of Tbilisi City Court. Considering this situation, it does not make sense why the final hearing was held in smaller size courtroom which resulted in the fact that many interested individuals were deprived opportunity to attend the hearing and their right to public hearing was restricted.

Right to public hearing is ensured by Article 85 of Constitution of Georgia, Article 5 of European Convention of Human Rights and Article 10 of Criminal Procedural Code.

Right to public hearing implies not only right of a defendant to have the public present at his or her trial but also the right of the public to be informed about the case and have opportunity to attend.

Human Rights Center calls on Tbilisi City Court to ensure holding hearings of cases which raise special public interests in large courtrooms to give maximum opportunity to interested parties to attend the hearings. 

Human Rights Center