Nongovernmental Organizations Protest Oppression on Former Prisoner by Law-enforcement Officers
February 28, 2014
Nino Devidze
On February 27, Human Rights Center, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, Transparency International Georgia, Article 42 of the Constitution and Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center held joint press-conference in the press-club of the Prime Time. They called on the Prosecutor’s Office to start probe into the intimidation and oppression facts on the former prisoner Zaza Azariashvili by law enforcement officers; Azariashvili was victim of torture during imprisonment term.
On December 2, 2013 former prisoner Zaza Azariashvili filed complaint to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office with the support of the Human Rights Center where he requested investigation of torture facts during his imprisonment terms. Azariashvili made testimonies against former directors of the Gldani Prison # 8 – Tamaz Meladze and Aleksandre Mukhadze. Azariashvili is chief witness in Vakhtang Maisaia’s case, former political prisoner, who was also victim of torture and inhuman treatment.
Victim Zaza Azariashvili said after Tbilisi Prosecutor’s Office started investigation into his case, Tskhneti chief police officers Konstantine Pukhauri and his deputy Zaal Tabatadze intimidated him several times and verbally insulted. “On January 27, 2014 Konstantine Pukhauri and Zaal Tabatadze arrived at my house, insulted me and demanded to withdraw complaint from the prosecutor’s office. On February 25, four persons in plain clothes attacked me when I left home; they ruthlessly beat me because I had made testimony against Tamaz Meladze.”
Head of Human Rights Center’s legal aid center and Azariashvili’s lawyer Tamar Avaliani said the Prosecutor’s Office shall immediately take special measures to ensure Azariashvili’s safety. “Whilst police officers are involved in alleged criminal activities, safety of witness Zaza Azariashvili is not guaranteed. It is prior obligation of the state to protect his safety and life. We also think that professional authority of the head of Tskhneti police unit Konstantine Pukhauri and his deputy shall be suspended before the end of the investigation.”
Kakha Kozhoridze, chairman of the Young Lawyers Association, called on the Prosecutor’s Office to conduct effective investigation. “Prison employee also confirmed that Azariashvili was tortured in the morgue of Gldani Prison # 8; though the investigation is not progressing. Instead making the probe effective, acting law enforcement officers try to oppress him and compel to stop complaining or deny his statements. It is inadmissible fact and law enforcement bodies shall adequately respond to these facts.”
Eka Gigauri of the Transparency International – Georgia said authority of head of Tskneti police unit and his deputy shall be suspended immediately. “One and half year has passed after society learned about torture and inhuman treatment facts in penitentiary establishments. Unfortunately, effective measures were not taken to investigate those facts. Mr. Zaza Azariashvili’s case will test readiness of the MIA to do its best to combat oppression facts from police officers.”
“Investigation shall get interested in concrete people, who were named today. Victim Azariashvili was intimidated by those people though it was their obligation to protect him. Since he is very important witness, his and his family members’ safety shall be guaranteed,” lawyer Roland Asakashvili of the Article 42 of the Constitution said.
NGOs call on investigative bodies to timely investigate illegal facts against Zaza Azariashvili and apply all measures under the Criminal Procedural Code to guarantee his security.
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