Public Defender Accuses the Head of the Special Operations Department of Illegally Seizing Cars

The Georgian Public Defender Sozar Subari is demanding that Dimitri Svanidze’s illegally seized car be returned to him. Today, Subari stated at a briefing that the Special Operations Department (SOD) had seized Svanidze’s new, legally purchased Ranger Rover from Svanidze. A breach of customs regulations was cited as the reason for the seizure.

Law enforcement claims that Svanidze’s car is among eight stolen cars being sought by the Spanish Government. The Public Defender’s Office investigated the case and concluded that Dimitri Svanidze purchased the car in Georgia, legally.

As for the claim that the vehicle was stolen in Spain, Subari stated that the Central National Bureau of Interpol should have confirmed the information first. The Public Defender’s Office unsuccessfully requested the information several times from Lasha Giorgidze, the head of the Interpol Bureau. Subari did not receive a reply. The Public Defender demanded Giorgidze be fined eight hundred lari for not replying to his second request. Sozar Subari signed the fine summons at today’s briefing.

Public Defender added that it is not the first occasion when officials from the SOD have illegally seized people’s cars. “Irakli Kodua, the head of the department, attempts to illegally seize those cars he likes. Then he and his staff drive those cars,” stated Subari.

Source: Medianews