Ombudsman Accuses Bacho Akhalaia of Provoking Prison Riot

Ombudsman Accuses Bacho Akhalaia of Provoking Prison Riot

Tbilisi, 19.05.06, ‘Media News’ – The Ombudsman of Georgia, Sozar Subari, presented a report to MPs and the Committee of Human Rights and Civil Integration.

Sozar Subari highlighted well known cases, which took place in the first half of 2006.

The Ombudsman found that the special operation, conducted by police in front of the Ministry of Culture on 2nd May, to be illegal. “Georgian legislation prohibits using weapons in city centers, especially in places crowded with traffic. It has still not been proved that the use of weapons or the shooting of people was necessary. I think the organizers of this special operation should be punished,” demanded Subari.

Subari also found illegal the actions of police officers during the prison riot on the 27th March. According to the Ombudsman, the police officers used weapons when the prisoners were in their cells and thus were unable to confront the police. If the Head of the Penitentiary Department, Bacho Akhalaia, did not go to the prison that night and use force, the riot would not have happened, says Subari.
 
“It has almost been proved that Akhalaia provoked the riot in the prison”, states Sozar Subari.

He also believes that the case of Sandro Girgvliani’s murder, employee of the United Georgian Bank, has not been properly investigated. Subari doubts that the police officers who were arrested could have had any motive for murdering Girgliani. Subari demands that the real organizers of the murder are punished.