Human Rights House Tbilisi Requests Investigation into Zviad Peikrishvili’s Case

Nino Kimadze

On October 8, representatives of Human Rights House Tbilisi (HRHT) held press-conference with regard to the case of Zviad Peikrishvili, who was beaten by Kaspi district police officers. Lawyer of HRHT Eka Kobesashvili defends rights of the victim Zviad Peikrishvili. HRHT requests effective investigation into the case.

According to Zviad Peikrishvili, Kaspi district police officer Levan Baisonashvili insulted his wife. He was sending messages to her mobile phone number and requested meeting. Zviad Peikrishvili protested this fact. 

In response to this protest, on April 4, 2015 police officers forced Peikrishvili into the car nearby his house and took to the cemetery where he was beaten. 

“Police officer Levan Baisonashvili insulted my family. I talked with him on the phone; apparently he got annoyed with it and four police officers Levan Baisonashvili, Amiran Kasoshvili, Mikheil Migriauli and Murad Barnov forcibly placed me in the car and beat me in the cemetery outside the village. I managed to escape them and asked neighbor to hide me because police officers were chasing me,” Zviad Peikrishvili said.

Lawyer Eka Kobesashvili clarified that the police officers psychologically oppress the victim. “The police officers psychologically oppress Zviad Peikrishvili – permanently watch and chase him.”

Shida Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regional prosecutor’s office launched criminal case against all four police officers. Zviad Peikrishvili is victim in the case. Investigator Zurab Kublashvili works on the case but perpetrators are not mentioned in it and no criminal liability was imposed on them. It is noteworthy that the police officers were fired from police but the lawyer doubts he still continue working in the police office of other district.

“We have requested relevant public information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and are waiting for their response. Based on the provided information we will learn whether the police officers were fired or not,” Kobesashvili said.

Humanrights.ge tried to get in touch with Zurab Kublashvili several times but the investigator did not answer calls.

At the press-conference the HRHT requested effective investigation into Zviad Peikrishvili’s case; the lawyer will provide the victim with free legal aid till the end of the process.