Statement of the Coalition for Freedom of Choice

Shocking video-footage aired by TV-Companies Maestro and TV 9 was trustworthy evidence of the prisoners’ torture and inhuman treatment in Georgian custodies. The government’s response to the fact is also shocking when the people responsible for similar situation in the penitentiary system did not resign; just the opposite, they declared to the society that opposition parties were guilty in the cruelty. Prosecutor’s Office and Ministry of Internal Affairs did not arrest the chairman of the penitentiary department, who personally participated in the torture of prisoners, but they just fired him. The Minister of Interior, Chief Prosecutor and Minister of Justice took full political responsibility for the crime with their inactivity, particularly when local human rights organizations, Public Defender and international organizations have been systematically speaking about horrible situation in the custodies. So, the members of the Coalition for Freedom of Choice categorically demand:

1. to immediately launch criminal cases against the Minister of Corrections and Legal Aid Khatuna Kalmakhelidze and senior officials of the ministry;
2. to impose political responsibility on every governmental official, who did not respond to the alarming situation in penitentiary system for so long time. In this view, Minister of Interior, Minister of Justice and Chief Prosecutor shall resign because they did not do anything to prevent similar crimes;
3. In addition to that, family members of the prisoner Tamaz Tamazashvili spread information that Tamazashvili’s life is in danger. Thus, we request to ensure his security in prison and avoid all kind oppression on him.

Coalition Members

1. Irakli Melashvili, expert on election issues;
2. Zviad Koridze, media-expert;
3. Kote Kandelaki, International Center for Civic Culture;
4. Ucha Nanuashvili, Human Rights Center;
5. Ia Mamaladze, Georgian Media-Monitoring Center;
6. Giorgi Khutsishvili, International Center for Conflict and Negotiation;
7. Davit Narmania, Caucasian Institute of Economics and Social Research;
8. Magda Popiashvili, Georgian Media-Club;
9. Murman Pataraia, Resource Center of Civic Education
10. Davit Losaberidze, Center of Local Democratic Network