Vano Merabishvili Left Court Hearing In Protest

Salome Chkheidze

Former Prime-Minister Vano Merabishvili left courtroom in protest during the discussion of his case at the Tbilisi City Court. Judge Ketevan Jachvadze dismissed some of Merabishvili’s supporters from the courtroom for breaching the order that was protested by the defendant and then he left the session.

Tbilisi City Court is conducting trials against Vano Merabishvili, former Minister of Interior, with regard to the events from May 26, 2011. When parties made statements before sending the case for substantial discussion, Merabishvili said the case did not contain sings of crime; just the opposite, it was politically motivated.

“I would like to call on prosecutors not to hide behind the name of Vladimer Masurashvili, police officer deceased during the dispersal of May 26 Demonstration; and not to use him against me. It is shameful because I am not blamed in his death,” the ex-minister said.

The supporters applauded after Merabishvili’s statement. Judge Ketevan Jachvadze had already warned society about using strict measures in similar cases. So, she dismissed some of the attendees from the hall. Defendant Merabishvili said people had not breached order and it was illegal decision; he left the courtroom in protest.

Before leaving the courtroom, Judge asked the defendant whether he wanted a jury to discuss his case and Merabishvili refused. “I do not want 12 more people to become victims of oppression from the Prosecutor’s Office and make their lives complicated,” he said.

Prosecutor also made statement at the session: “Unity of evidence in the case proves that Merabishvili ordered to block all streets in the vicinities of Rustaveli Avenue in order to disable demonstrators to leave the territory. The evidence show that demonstrators were not warned about intended use of force during dispersal. The evidence also proves that demonstrators were physically assaulted and a lot of people were injured. Based on the allegation, the solicitation of the defense side on suspending prosecution against Vano Merabishvili shall not be satisfied,” Prosecutor Mezvrishvili said.

Judge Ketevan Jachvadze said the case was forwarded to the court for substantial discussion and next trial will take place at 12:00 pm on December 11.