Office of Public Defender Responded Detention of Members of Burjanadze’s Party

According to the Public Defender’s Office, this morning, the ombudsman was informed that nine members of Burjanadze’s party “Democratic Movement for the United Georgia” have been detained. Reportedly: Zura Avaliani, Nugzar Gogrichidze and Dato Gogrichadze were detained in Batumi; Vaso Narsia, Mamuka Shengelia,Vakho Tushmalishvili, Roin Bughashvili, Giorgi Bolashvili (born in 1981) and Giorgi Bolashvili were arrested in Tbilisi.

Deputy Public Defender and attorneys have been trying to see the detainees since the morning in Batumi. However, it turned out that they were taken to Tbilisi. As for the detainees from Tbilisi, Giorgi Chkheidze, deputy ombudsman, was standing in front of the building of Special Operative Department for half an hour and demanded meeting with the detainees. The deputy public defender was not allowed to enter the building against the law, however, later, the guard explained that it was misunderstanding and allowed Giorgi Chkheidze to enter the building. Corresponding protocol became the reason for the delay. Giorgi Chkheidze visited two detainees – Roin Bughashvili and Giorgi Bolashvili. Roin Bughashvili had injuries on his body though the detention protocol does not indicate to the injuries. As for the protocol on placing the detainee in isolator, the injuries are mentioned there. Bughashvili stated that he was injured during the detention because the law enforcer assaulted him. Representatives of the public defender drew up the protocol on the fact and they will appeal to the prosecutor’s office and request investigation of the fact,” stated the representatives of the public defender.

Giorgi Bolashvili is also in the building “Special Operative Department” but representatives of the public defender could not visit him because investigation has already started against him.

Public Defender’s Office continues to investigate the detention of other members of the political party.

Public Defender of Georgia is concerned because the location of the detainees is still unidentified; he calls upon the Ministry of Internal Affairs to inform them about the location of the detainees immediately in order to arrange meeting with them.

Source: Medianews