Trials Are Held in Quarters in Batumi City Court

Trial on citizen Chikovani was held in the quarter of a judge at the Batumi City Court notwithstanding the fact that all five court-rooms were vacant. It is noteworthy that court hearing on Chikovani was not on the schedule of earmarked trials.

The Human Rights Center has information that Chikovani is a former employee of the Constitutional Security Department (CSD). He was accused for a rape. Neither the family of the accused nor his attorney protested against the trial in the quarter of the judge. The attorney Davit Chavleishvili confirmed that the trial was held in the quarter of Judge Roin Kakhidze.

Archil Archaia, head of Batumi Prison # 3 attended the trial as a witness (Archaia is a former CSD employee too). A bailiff allowed Archaia to go to the quarter of the judge but did not allow a journalist stating the trial was held in the quarter. Later the bailiff said that the trial was held in court-room # 2. After having revised the information it turned out false.

Later Judge Roin Kakhidze said in his telephone interview that he did not have a right to make any comments and Davit Charbadze, Public Prosecutor, advised us to address to the spokesperson of their office.

Tornike Ananidze, lawyer of the Human Rights Center stated that the court breached the principle of transparency. “According to the Criminal Procedural Code the trial is public at all instances of judiciary system. But the trials in Batumi City Court are held in quarters and that is why mass media can not cover them.”

Maka Malakmadze, Batumi