Irakli Garibashvili – Investigation into Lapankuri Case Is Going On Very Successfully

Mikheil Mamalashvili, Kakheti

Minister of Interior Irakli Garibashvili said he cannot see any problems that Counter-Intelligence Department of MIA is investigating the case on the special operation in Lopota Gorge, that was organized by the MIA. 

“I would like to remind you that Lopota Special Operation was conducted during previous government. Different people worked there at that time; different people were in charge of this operation. I cannot see any controversy in it. The investigation into Lopota case is underway and I think it is very successful. Counter-Intelligence Department is in charge of it. Do not ask me about deadlines because when I once announced the due date, I made a mistake,” Minister Garibashvili told journalists in Telavi when he assigned new cars to patrol police in Telavi.

Reportedly, counter-terrorist operation in Lopota Gorge close to Georgian-Dagestan border started late at night of August 28, 2012. According to MIA, the special operation was organized after five young people were kidnapped in Lapankuri forest. According to the spread information, they had disappeared on August 25. MIA claimed the armed group had crossed the Georgian boarder and took the young men as hostages. Based on the request of the leadership of Counter-Terrorist Center of MIA, before special operation was launched, Doku Umarov’s special representative Akhmed Chataev arrived in Lopota Gorge to negotiate with the paramilitaries; though the negotiations failed. Chataev was wounded by special unit officers. On August 29, MIA reported that two MIA officers, one military doctor and five Georgian special unit officers were killed in the special operation; besides that, 11 paramilitaries were killed and 6 more where in siege. Finally, it was revealed that seven members of the armed formation were killed and two of them were citizens of Georgia – Aslan Margoshvili, 22 and Bahaudin Kavtarashvili, 26 – residents of Duisi village in Pankisi Gorge.

Public Defender of Georgia Ucha Nanuashvili stated several times that MIA shall not investigate this case because of interest conflicts in it. He said the MIA had not yet conducted any professional investigation into the alleged abuse of power by law enforcement officers that resulted into the death of several people.