Main witnesses in the criminal case against Irakli Okruashvili were interrogated during the hearing closed for media and monitors

Yesterday, in the Tbilisi City Court, main witnesses of the criminal case against Irakli Okruashvili, leader of the political party Victorious Georgia, were interrogated: Guram Donadze, former head of the PR Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Zurab Mikadze, former head of the Tbilisi Main Department of the Patrol Police.

In November 2019, the investigation of the so-called Buta Robakidze’s case was renewed based on the testimonies of Guram Donadze and Zurab Mikadze and a new criminal charge was brought against Irakli Okruashvili – abuse of official power. The charges are related with the special operation which was carried out 16 years ago – on November 24, 2004, and when 19-years-old Amiran (Buta) Robakidze was killed by a patrol police officer. 

Judge Lasha Chkhikvadze at the Tbilisi City Court held the most important hearing of the case without media and independent observers, with the participation of the parties only. Based on his decision, HRC monitor and journalists were not allowed to attend the court hearing.

HRC protests unjustified practice of the Tbilisi City Court, when judges selfishly and unlawfully close court hearings claiming on the emergency situation. At the same time, the court demonstrates nonhomogeneous practice because two days ago another judge allowed the HRC monitor to attend the hearing of the second criminal case against Irakli Okruashvili, which refers to the events of June 20-21, 2019.  

Such a different and unjustified approach of the judges to different cases raise doubts that ongoing examination of the criminal cases against Irakli Okruashvili is tendentious and partial. 

By prohibiting the HRC monitors to attend the court hearings blatantly violates the publicity of the trials. Full or partial closure of the court hearings contradicts the principle of just state and rule of law and undermines the right of an individual to have access to the fair trial. 

In the course of emergency situation, the Decree of the President the hearings into criminal cases shall be conducted remotely; however, unlimited access of the interested parties, including monitors, shall be ensured with the support of modern technical online sources (like YOUTUBE, ZOOM) or livestreaming on the court website. 

After the judge in the Tbilisi City Court first restricted the HRC monitor to attend the court hearing, the organization petitioned the Tbilisi City Court and requested to allow the HRC monitors into the trials. More than ten days have passed since the letter was sent to the court, but they have not yet responded the organization. 

Human Rights Center