Police Terror or Police Resistance?

Nona Suvariani, Tbilisi

The incident that took place in the restaurant “Metekhis Chrdili” was publicly reported by Levan Berdzenishvili, leader of the Republic Party, and this again proves that high-ranking officials of the Georgian Government still continue with their vote rigging. However it is not the only violation that was observed during the pre-election campaign. Does political terror actually exist in Georgia? Why patrol police officers are still acting so impudently and people have even organized protests s against them?

Incident # 1. April 26 2008-05-19

Police arrested Gocha Tskitishvili, Akaki Khmaladze, Giorgi Khaloev and Shalva Korganashvili for no reason and then proceeded to assault them. The police demanded that they plea guilty to robbery, a crime that they had not committed. The incident had eye-witnesses who later confirmed what had happened in their conversation with the Office of the Public Defender and described how the arrested had been abused. The detainees and their relatives were also repressed after the release of the four arrested men.

“On May 12, Mtscketa’s regional prosecutor Vano Oqropiridze charged A.Xmaladze and G.Ckitishvili, the parents, and demanded from them to deny  that they had been physical and verbal abused by the  police, and if not, agreeing to sign a plea-bargain,” - stated in public defender’s news release.

Incident #2: 8th of May

Another incident, that resulted in a mortal shot from a firearm, police shot to death George Gamcemlidze, a 32-years old, he was  one of the members of National Movement’s Vake region election headquarter.  As known, Gamcemlidze was driving at high speed with BMW car. He didn’t obey the police’s command, and during a car chase he hit street signs and tried to escape. Police killed him with a single shot.

Incident # 3: 9th of May

On 12th of May, on TV show “PRIMETIME” Levan Berzenishvili talked about another confirmed incident, which is confirmed, as Levan Berzenishvili declared, by six sources and one of the National Movement’s leaders, George Gabashvili. On 9th of May, Tako Salakaia and other members of Ministry of Internal Affairs (supposedly the same people, who refer to Sandro Gvirgvliani’s murder) were in the restaurant “Metekhi Shadow”. Here some kind of quarrel took place between them and Ika Feradze, afterwards, Ika Feradze disappeared. Only after his call to Giga Bokeria, he was finally released from custody. If he had not had been known to Giga Bokeria, it is debatable as how this incident would have ended - again on the territory of the Okrokhana Cemetery, or some other venue.  Also, it’s noteworthy that another guest on the PRIMETIME Show – and that George Gabashvili did not deny the above-mentioned incident, but was only told that everything did not transpire to such an extent.

These are among three of the most prominent incidents, when human rights, including right to life, has been violated. Unfortunately, only those incidents became well – known, but in reality human rights are violated permanently, this can be confirmed by people coming to Human Rights Center everyday seeking for help. The most important point is that despite public’s protest demonstrations, that followed Sandro Girgvliani’s death, negligence of human rights still continues.

Regardless, and in light of all the above-described incidents that have taken place during the pre-election period, when such behavior should under normal circumstances be not to the benefit of the National Movement, and that there is a dead man from a police bullet, shot to death just a few weeks ago, and who was even an activist of the National Movement.

Why are such things continuing to take place, and in spite of demonstrations and protests from the side of Georgian society? Should we think that things in the Ministry of Internal Affairs became so chaotic and unmanageable, that it does not even consider that its victims are members and it is not in the interests of the National Movement?  Or, do they act exactly in it favor and based on the defined interests of the National Movement.

Levan Berzenishvili thinks that both versions can be admitted, he tells that nobody forces and orders other to murder people.

“This was always the case because of police being out of control. The justification for willful actions of police officers’ is the result of the Georgian president’s instructions – “Don’t be afraid of the people, don’t show mercy to anyone! This is a direct consequence of the policy of zero tolerance. The Georgian president declared a policy of terror; he is the author of this policy. The person who is fully responsible is none other than Mikheil Saakashvili, and now one is free to commit violence, when violence has been encouraged, and such dire results are only to be expected.”

The fact that such incidents are not to the benefit National Movement during the pre-election period, doesn’t mean that police did not commit such crimes “They were  acting in such manner even they continue acting the same till now, for Tako Salakaia it’s absolutely meaningless, whether elections are going to be held or.

Levan Berzenishvili claims that National Movement needs such scandals, as it helps them hide the degree of violence that is being directed toward the opposition.

Police officers arrested Gocha Tskitishvili, Akaki Khmaladze, Giorgi Khaloev and Shalva Korganashvili without justification then assaulted them. The police officers demanded them to plead guilty for a crime they had not committed. 

"On May 12" 

Rezo Shavishvili, representative of the United Opposition, states the National Movement hold on to power by resorting to police terror. He restated the official statements of the Georgian President and the Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs in the parliament, and told how they had directly ordered the police officers to liquidate anybody who might create some possible danger to public law and order.

“Some concrete incidents might be caused by the demonstrated impunity by certain officials. However, we cannot explain why police are acting in such a consistent manner in every district – they are showing that they can act impunity and will not be held accountable. They have received directions from higher ranked officials. The minister and president give similar orders, and this is enough – as it does not need additional commentary.  They have committed many crimes and they are fully confident they will not be punished under the law.  Thus, is it not strange why they are fighting to stay in their jobs?”

Rezo Shavishvili stated he does not want to speak about the murder of Giorgi Gamtsemlidze, though he pointed out that a total of 37 young men have been murdered in recent years. He is able to provide many concrete facts and instances of police terror.

“For example, Vazha Tatarashvili is candidate of the United Opposition in Mtskheta district. Fifteen years ago his sixteen-year-old son died; he now has an eleven-year-old son. When he was speaking with his wife over the phone somebody broke in during their phone talk and asked: “Vazha, can membership in the parliament be as valuable the life of your son?” In response, he asked how you can think that you are allowed to interfere in phone conversation, and this can only be done by officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They can understand who threatened the candidate, and though they do not react on this, this is just one instance and there many other similar stories. The system has been created to maintain the government. Otherwise they will lose everything.”

Lawyer Lia Mukhashavria, a single mandate candidate from the “Traditionalists-Our Georgia and Women’s Party”, repeated those same three facts and said that they are enough to speak about how urgent is the present situation. The government does not want to change anything in the system and thousands of people are protesting; now they are condemned to violence and illegal police activities. Evidently, today the police cannot control its structures, and representatives of law enforcement bodies are out of control. 

“A extremely dangerous situation now exists in Georgia. Law enforcers are out of control and the legal system does not function. I think election subjects should draw more attention to the situation. I noticed how often phone conversations are being listened to. However, nobody suggests the draft project as to how bring about changes the structure of law enforcement bodies.”

Lia Mukhashavria thinks that structural reorganization is necessary because in this case, patrol police will not have right to act without having been ordered.  It is necessary that local self-governments do what is necessary in supervising the police. Thus, the control mechanism could have been much more efficient. Today they are being controlled by central government and this system unites the police and security department as an instrument of government.