Human Rights Center Requests Effective Investigation into Aleko Elisashvili’s Case

Rati Kharatishvili

On January 14, representatives of Human Rights Center held press-conference about the case of Aleko Elisashvili, former chairman of the Pardon Commission.

At the press-conference Human Rights Center requested MP Eka Beselia to immediately quit the Prosecutors Council to avoid possible threat to impartial investigation into the case.

Lawyer of Human Rights Center Tamar Avaliani said the ongoing investigation in the Chief Prosecutor’s Office does not meet minimal standards of impartiality either.

“Litigation into Aleko Elisashvili’s case is going on in two directions: one is civil case which was launched by MP Eka Beselia and the second is ongoing investigation into the alleged oppression on the former chairman of the pardon commission at the Chief Prosecutor’s Office,” Tamar Avaliani, lawyer of Aleko Elisashvili, said.

Executive director of Human Rights Center Aleko Tskitishvili said the organization called on MP Eka Beselia to quit the Prosecutors Council when she appealed to the court against Elisashvili.

Tamar Avaliani underlined that the Parliament has not properly realized its role and significance in this process. 

“The case meets two criteria of the Rules of Procedures of the Parliament of Georgia: first - when there is information and doubt about alleged involvement of senior government officials in corruptive deals or other unlawful actions. In similar situation, the Parliament is authorized to create temporary investigation commission; and second – when it is high profile case and there is state and public interest in it,” Tamar Avaliani said.

As for Aleko Elisashvili, he spoke about the ongoing investigation into the case of pardon commission and noted that he provided the investigative body with all information however he said he does not trust the investigation as in accordance to the law he is a witness, MP Beselia is suspect who is also member of the prosecutors council.

“I request creation of the [temporary investigative] commission of the Parliament to allow the society to openly listen what I will say to the investigators. Unless I was convinced in my truth, I would hide behind the ongoing investigation,” Elisashvili said.

Elisashvili responded to the statement of the Chief Prosecutor Irakli Shotadze.

“If I investigate everything in this case, then why Shotadze gets salary for his job and what such a huge institution (Chief Prosecutor’s Office) is doing?! I provided them with the information who accepted the bribe, who gave the bribe and now it is up to them to investigate the crime. If I collect all evidence against Beselia and Kobakhidze and if I place them in prison, what their office is doing then?” Aleko Elisashvili asked.

As for the negotiations about the creation of the temporary investigative commission, Elisashvili had consultations with the Free Democrats and their leader Irakli Alasania; they promised the MPs from the Free Democrats will request creation of the commission at the nearest session of the Parliament.

Human Rights Center calls on the Parliament to take effective measures to ensure impartial and effective investigation into allege facts of oppression on Aleko Elisashvili.