Lawyers Accuse Judges in Violence

Lawyers Accuse Judges in Violence

Tbilisi, 18.07.2006, ‘Media News’ – Human Rights defenders gathered in the Ombudsman’s Office today. According to the lawyers, their rights are often violated. Human Rights defenders stated different concrete facts showing the violence.

Lawyers Eka Beselia, Sahlva Khachapuridze, Gela Nikolaishvili, the Ombudsman Sozar Subari and Georgian NGOs demand cancellation of article 208 of the Procedural Code. This article foresees banishment and arrest of lawyers violating order in the Court hall. “Violence from the judges against lawyers has increased recently. The judge does not have absolute right during the court hearing. He should give equal right to both sides. Today, judges are using article 208 when lawyers protest during the hearings. This is quite scary tendency. We are forced to choose silent and subordinate position,” declared lawyer Eka Beselia.

According to her the right of meeting of the lawyer and accused are violating every time. “We don’t have the right to defend our clients effectively. The responsible bodies should react on these processes immediately”, said lawyer Shalva Khachapuridze during the press-conference.