“Rare Prisoner”- Aleksi Bakhutov Freed

On June 26 a special prisoner Aleksi Bakhutov was set free. His case was outstanding because he was accused of having committed a murder.

Bakhutov was arrested on June 27 2007. Kakheti Regional Prosecutor’s Office blamed for the premeditated murder of Lasha Chopikashvili. A Telavi District Court sentenced him to six-year-imprisonment. During the investigation Bakhutov was tortured several times and consequently, law enforcers made him to give the name of other criminals.

The prosecutor arrested Aslan Gaurashvili, Aleksi Tsotsiashvili and Vephkhia Khechoshvili for having hidden the body of Chopikashvili. By that time, law enforcers already knew that Chopikashvili was alive. Telavi court also had information about the fact but judge confirmed plea-bargain signed between prosecutor’s office and detainees. In exchange of freedom thousands of GEL was transferred to the account of Prosecutor’s Office.

Since Public Defender became interested in the case, Aleksi Bakhutov was then discharged from the charge of premeditated murder and he was only found to have been involved in an attempted murder. Finally, Telavi Court imposed one year of sentence on Bakhutov. Howeve,r he has never admitted to be guilty as charged.

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti