NGOs Protest Illegal Firing of Patrol Policeman

Nino Akhobadze

On September 18th, in the conference hall of Human Rights House Tbilisi, NGOs – Human Rights Center, Article 42 of Constitution, Transparency International-Georgia and Public Ombudsman held a press conference regarding illegal firing of patrol policeman, Joseb Abuladze.

On June 19, due to the event dedicated to the celebration of EU-Georgia Association Agreement signing traffic movement along Metekhi Bridge in Tbilisi was blocked. During night hours patrol inspector Joseb Abuladze was implementing his professional duties at the entrance to the bridge, while a BMW tried to enter the bridge not following instructions of the patrol police officer. He impolitely addressed to the inspector for what the latter reprimanded him and demanded to turn back. 

Later, the driver appeared an ally of Erekle Chokhonelidze, deputy head of the first unit of the Disciplinary Prosecution Department of the General Inspection at MIA. During the incident, Chokhonelidze was in Shardeni Street too, where the driver of BMW tried to enter. Chokhonelidze called Joseb Abuladze to his office several days later and asked explanation of that day incident. As a result, patrol police officer received severe reprimand from the senior officials because of insulting a citizen (BMW driver). 

Joseb Abuladze: “During the meeting, Mr. Chokhonelidze insulted entire patrol police department, and I found it my personal insult. I did not refuse to write explanation letter for the first time and wrote the truth what happened near Metekhi Bridge. About one and half month later, on July 30, they handed me the severe reprimand. 

Joseb Abuladze addressed Ombudsman of Georgia regarding the violation of his labor right. The Office of Ombudsman started to study the case. After this fact, the pressure against the policeman intensified. On September 17th he was summoned to MIA and was told that he was fired.

Head of legal aid center at Human Rights Center Tamar Avaliani, who protects Joseb Abuladze’s rights, stated that patrol office was fired illegally, as a result of personal revenge of the MIA senior official.  The lawyer added that conclusion of the General Inspection of MIA was not well-grounded, relevant to the law and it cannot prove guiltiness of Joseb Abuladze. 

Tamar Avaliani, the lawyer: “Joseb Abuladze is victim of the oppression from MIA senior official. Another argument of the MIA against him is - patrol inspector did not write explanation letter on taking off a hat in the heat of the street during 17 hours patrolling in the busy street. He took off the hat only for a minute and it became reason of the second reprimand. We assume he was specially appointed to the place nearby the Ministry office, to conduct permanent video surveillance on him. He was watched and as Joseb Abuladze is saying, supposedly he was video-recorded from the building of MIA. We have lodged administrative lawsuit to the MIA and have not received reply yet. We intend to appeal the court.”

Human Rights Center, Article 42 of Constitution, Transparency International-Georgia and Public Advocacy address to the Office of Prosecutor to objectively investigate the unlawful actions of the MIA high official, Erekle Chokhonelidze, to study the case of Joseb Abuladze’s firing and timely react to the pressure and persecution that he experiences.

Aleko Tskitishvili, executive director of Human Rights Center: “This case is precedential because patrol inspectors, who are also unfairly fired from job, do not appeal the decision of the employer. It is rare case when patrol police officer personally fights for his rights and we of course fully support him in his struggle. Moreover, we detect signs of persecution and personal interests of senior official in his case. In fact, the senior official of the General Inspection must be good example for patrol police officers.”

Tamar Gabisonia, executive director of the Article 42 of the Constitution: “We already see tendency in law enforcement bodies, when senior officials try to abuse power and punish police officers – sack them just because their friends were offended. It seems, a person, who properly implemented his duties, is punished because he followed laws and regulations in relation with the friend of senior official. It is very bad example and tendency, because when other police officers also see similar facts. We call on the chief prosecutor’s office to investigate the fact and make conclusion about the activities of the MIA senior official.”

Gia Gvilava, representative of the Transparency International – Georgia: “Similar cases are particularly complicated and risky for the state when the state law enforcement agency abuses the rights of its employee and when senior officials are involved in this illicit action. It is necessary to timely respond to the fact, because negligence will result into other facts. The syndrome will be spread in the MIA and police officers will have feeling that they are not protected; finally the society will be victimized from it.”

Nongovernmental organizations request the Minister of Interior to study the case, annul the dismissal order on Joseb Abuladze and restore him to his position.