Victim Holds Hunger Strike before Zugdidi’s Regional Prosecutors’ Office

Victim Holds Hunger Strike before Zugdidi’s Regional Prosecutors’ Office

Goderdzi Chilaia, 29, is holding a hunger strike in front of the Zugdidi Regional Prosecutors’ Office in order to prompt a criminal investigation against “Express Service” company.

Chilaia accuses investigator Revaz Tordia of artificial prolongation of the investigation process and the taking of bribes. “At the beginning when Tordia started studying the case he promised to settle it in five days, but later, after he met the general director of “Express Service” Iuri Nozadze the investigation froze on the spot. The fact is that Iuri Nozadze is the son-in-law of Bidzina Ivanishvili who is the general director of the “Kartu Bank” and is under his support. The case has been under investigation for five months already, however, I guess, I have to wait and starve in this camp for a long time”, says the victim.

Revaz Tordia rejects the victim’s statement. He also denies having had a conversation with Chilaia. Furthermore, he states that he has never seen him.

Goderdzi Chilaia received an injury during work in the nuts factory “Express Service” in 2004. According to the results of the investigation of the accident implemented by Jambul Tsipuria, representative of the state observing body, the injury was caused by unprofessional installation of the equipment and by not following the security instructions.

The treatment and one operation financed by the company turned out not to be sufficient and the director Iuri Nozadze refuses to cover further expenses for treatment.

Now, Goderdzi Chilaia is in a bad health condition. The doctors explain that he should stop his hunger strike as this poses a serious danger for further deterioration of his state.

Maia Gubeladze from Zugdidi