Human Rights Center Requests Investigation into Physical Assault and Inhuman Treatment of Prisoners

Human Rights Center is concerned about recent facts of physical assault and inhuman treatment of prisoners in the penitentiary establishment of Georgia and appeals to the General Inspection at the Ministry of Corrections, as well as to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office, to adequately respond to the problem and timely launch investigation into facts.

Convicted Genadi Jeladze at Rustavi Prison # 6 said deputy chairman of the penitentiary department Shota Toradze and prison administration members have permanently intimidating him for the last period. They demanded him to stop complaining about his torture and inhuman treatment in the past years. The prisoner said on April 27 he was compelled to take off cloths and was taken from Prison # 17 to Prison # 6 naked. After degrading treatment, Jeladze started hunger-strike. He requests return to Prison # 17, which is open facility; also investigation of torture and inhuman treatment facts against him as well as punishment of perpetrators. The convicted person blames Shota Toradze, former director of Prison # 2, in participating in his torture. 

According to the information provided by the prisoner Giorgi Oganezov, on March 28, 2014 employees of Gldani Prison # 8 Giorgi Pipia and Ramaz (surname not identified) beat him in the basement of the penitentiary establishment; the prisoner claims special unit officers also participated in the physical assault. Oganezov was beaten in the belly and face. He has multiple injuries on the body. After the incident, the prisoner was taken to Prison # 7. On April 22, Human Rights Center publicly addressed to the Ministry of Corrections and Chief Prosecutor’s Office to start investigation into convict Giorgi Oganezov’s physical assault fact. 

In January, 2014, Human Rights Center addressed to the General Inspection at the Ministry of Corrections and Chief Prosecutor’s Office to start investigation into the physical assault and inhuman treatment of Amiran Patoev, inmate of Rustavi Prison # 17. However, investigative bodies have not launched probe so far.

Human Rights Center is concerned about recent facts of physical abuse, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners in penitentiary establishments. The facts are further alarming because Giorgi Oganezov, Genadi Jeladze and Amiran Patoev were victims of torture and inhuman treatment in the past years.

Human Rights Center also requests to suspend professional authority of those law enforcement officers, who allegedly participated in the inhuman treatment of prisoners and who can still intimidate victims in the penitentiary establishments. 

Human Rights Center