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Two Different Versions of the Special Operation, Held at Rustavy #1 Colony

February 3, 2006

 Two Different Versions of the Special Operation, Held at Rustavy #1 Colony


According to official information, prisoner Temur Qoqashvili and a member of the Special Forces were injured during a Special Forces operation that took place at Rustavi#1 Colony on January 30th. “Prisoners were trying to rebel but they did not succeed” the press centre of the penitentiary system stated.

According to the press centre, a search of prisoners was held, and it was discovered that the prisoners had prohibited items, which they tried to hide. Law enforcers tried to prevent this. In order to quash any resistance the additional forces were mobilized to the colony.

The details of the special operation are seen differently by the other side. The family members of prisoners speak about the harassment and physical abuse of prisoners by members of the Special Forces. The head of the non-governmental organization “Former Prisoners for Human Rights”, Nana Kakabadze, also agrees with this view. “Bacho Akhalaia (The Head of the Penitentiary System) was drunk and entered the building with Champagne in hand; he began to enrage the prisoners. His acts provoked a reaction from the prisoners. They authorities say that they used rubber bullets, but prisoners were injured with real bullets. In the name of reforms they do whatever they want. I think it is wrong to fight criminals with criminal methods. They try to terrify and enslave the population and have imprisoned people.” says Nana Kakabadze.

The Public Defender, Sozar Subari, speaks about the special operation differently. He does not accept the guilt of law enforcers and states that if somebody must be blamed, it should be the prisoners. According to him, mainly members of the Special Forces were injured. After talking to us, the Public Defender checked the information and found out that there was one more prisoner, Grigorian, who had been severely beaten. According to penitential system, Grigorian was one of the leaders of the rebellion. After the special operation he was put in the isolation ward. The representative of the Public defenders office was sent to the prison in order to see his condition. It should also be mentioned, that while visiting the Colony, Sozar Subari had the opportunity to see only mildly injured prisoners. He only received information about the prisoner who was severely beaten 3 days later.

“The Special Forces employee is in a worse condition than the prisoner. During the rebellion, prisoners of two blocks were moving toward them and they had to retreat. At that moment Special Forces were shooting and possibly the prisoner was injured then. Later, additional forces were mobilized to the colony and they were able to neutralize the prisoners with police clubs”, said Sozar Subari.

Unlike Sozar Subari, it is not easy for the head of the “Young Lawyers Association”, Anna Dolidze, to talk about the incident as she was not allowed to enter the colony to see for herself. “They don’t allow people who are not under their control to enter the building. How could Sozar Subari say anything objectively? I think it is bad for the penitentiary system itself. The closed nature of the system helps to spread unproven information. According to order 309 of the President, I am allowed to visit the Penitentiary System’s Institutions without needing any special permission. The fact that Mr. Tkemaladze did not let me into the building is their problem. They are disobeying the orders of the President” said Anna Dolidze.

The truth will be revealed when the investigation ends. At present however, 40 prisoners are detained in isolation wards. The situation has been neutralized at Rustavi #1 Colony.

Anna Chkhaidze

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