Ombudsman Alleges Supreme Court in Violating the Law

Ombudsman Alleges Supreme Court in Violating the Law

Sozar Subari, Georgia's new State Ombudsman dedicated his first news conference to the problem of illegal prisoners, on September 22. He blamed deputy chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia in taking illegal decision and spoke about the violations of the rights of Zaza Tsetskhladze who had been imprisoned two years ago charged for robbery. The Ombudsman voiced concern about the illegal decision taken by Valeri Khrustali, the deputy chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia which except three months illegal detention of Tsetskhladze was followed by six more months’ imprisonment. For now, Tsetskhladze is illegal prisoner in prison №5.

At the press conference the Georgian Public Defender Subari exemplified the case of Zaza Tsetskhladze, charged for robbery, which after 24 months pre-trial imprisonment was left in the prison ward for further three months illegally. On August 23, the Supreme Court extended his pre-trial detention term for six more months.

The judges of the courts of lower instances three months later submitted to the Supreme Court of Georgia the document demanding to prolong the custody of Tsetskhladze. Having discussed the fact of violation of the terms of pre-trial detention, Valeri Khrustali, the deputy chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia submitted the documents to the Council of Justice demanding to punish Gela Natsvladze, the judge of Chokhatauri court and Siradze, the head of Kutaisi regional Criminal Court of Appeal. Despite the fact, Valeri Khrustali, the deputy chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia prolonged Tsetskhladze’s custody period for six more months on August 23. Zaza tsetskhladze is now illegal prisoner in prison #5. The public defender of Georgia believes that the conclusion of Khrustali violated the law. State Ombudsman alleged that Valerie Khrustali, deputy chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia was responsible for these illegal decisions demanding his resignation.

“We demand him to be dismissed from the position because it is discreditable to have such a judge at the Supreme Court – says Sozar Subar and added – the court is the main guarantee for the protection of human rights in the country and for the rule of law. And when the deputy chairman of the Supreme Court commits contentious violations it is a dangerous symptom and the sign for that that rule of law cannot reign in Georgia and that we can never be put among those civilized countries we are longing for.”

Sozar Subari said he had the list of controversial criminal cases, which he planned to consider once more and express the position of the state ombudsman's office soon. He promised to react at every human rights violation that according to him is the best preventive measure. Public defender and his team recommend the Council of Justice to take all legal measures regarding Valeri Khtrustalashvili and to release Zaza Tsetskhladze being in illegal detention.

Nino Bestavashvili