Tsotne Gamsakhurdia Continues Hunger-Strike

Court did not satisfy solicitation of the attorney of Tsotne Gamsakhurdia on changing the imprisonment into release under guarantee. Keti Bekauri called the decision absurd. She said Episcope Theodore was ready to be guardian of Tsotne Gamsakhurdia.

March 1 is the 66th day of his hunger strike. Gamsakhurdia drinks only water and his health conditions are very grave. At that time, Gamsakhurdia does not allow doctors to control his blood pressure and temperature. Representative of the parliamentary minority Dimitri Lortkipanidze was informed by the doctor-on-duty Maia Mgebrishvili about it. However, in their conversation with humanrights.ge representatives of the penitentiary department claim the opposite. They said health conditions of Tsotne Gamsakhurdia are satisfactory and his blood pressure and temperature are normal. Press-center of the department is surprised why similar information is spread; as if the detainee does not allow doctors to examine him.

Last week, court discussed 16 petitions of the defense side; they did not satisfy part of it which was about additional interrogation of witnesses and chemical and biological expertise. As for petition about replacing the judge and prosecutor and changing imprisonment into the release under guarantee, it was not satisfied either. The court did not satisfy the solicitation on unifying two cases launched against Gamsakhurdia.

Honorable citizen of Tbilisi Kote Cholokashvili, Ia Bagration-Mukhranski, a leader of Labor Party Soso Shatberashvili and Kakha Kukava from Conservative Party attended the trial. These people also request release of Gamsakhurdia under guarantee.

Tsotne Gamsakhurdia was arrested on October 22, 2009. He was accused purchase-storage-possession of weapon; attempted murder and espionage. Court discusses the charge of espionage as a separate case.

Ana Sheshaberidze