Human Rights Center’s Report as Evidence at the Trial on Merabishvili’s Case

Salome Chkheidze

Human Rights Center’s Report on May 26, 2011 events is considered as evidence at the trial on the criminal case against Vano Merabishvili. The prosecutor announced the list of obtained evidence at the trial on November 19.

Pre-trial session was held at the Tbilisi City Court into the criminal case against Vano Merabishvili, former interior minister of Georgia. The prosecutor and defense lawyer presented the evidence at the session.

Soon after the session started, Vano Merabishvili requested permission to make a statement and responded to the intention of the Ministry of Culture to remove golden dome from Rabati Mosque. “I have learned that Ministry of Culture intends to demolish the dome of the Rabat Mosque. It is the attempt of the government to destroy our trace in this country. However, I want to tell them that they will not be able to achieve their goals even with similar shameful trials, like you conduct today. They will never destroy our trace in this country,” the ex-minister said.

At the end of the trial, the parties solicited to decline some of the evidence. The judge will make relevant decision at the end of the trial – on November 27. 

On May 30, Tbilisi City Court imposed pre-trial imprisonment on Vano Merabishvili into the case on May 26 events. Investigation blames him in the abuse of power when dispersing the demonstration on May 26. The crime is punishable with imprisonment from 5 to 8 years under Article 333 Part III – B and C of the Criminal Code of Georgia.