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Akhmed Chataev’s Lawyer Responds to the Statement of Minister of Justice

November 28, 2012

Humanrights.ge

On November 27, Minister of Justice of Georgia Thea Tsulukiani made a statement at the press-conference in the press-club of Maestro TV on the case of Chechen refugee Akhmed Chataev, arrested after the special operation in Lapankuri. “I do not think it is reasonable to release Chataev from prison. It is my personal opinion and I do not know what the prosecutor in charge of in this case thinks about it. If he decides that Chataev shall be outside prison for various reasons, this decision will be satisfied due to the freedom I granted to prosecutors.”

Minister of Justice noted that “Chataev might be a key person to assist the investigation to clarify real situation about this case to us.”

Human Rights Center believes Akhmed Chataev is illegal prisoner and demands his freedom. On November 20, Human Rights Center held a press-conference on this case. 

Head of legal aid center at the HRC Nino Andriashvili protects Chataev’s rights. Nino Andriashvili said, November 27 statement of the minister of justice was kind of suggestion to prosecutors not to release Chataev from imprisonment at this stage.

“We can evaluate the Minister’s statement as oppression on the prosecutor’s office and the prosecutor involved in this case whilst the prosecutor still believes that police officers’ testimonies play and will always play in criminal cases because it is more reliable than testimonies of defense side’s witnesses. Statement of the Minister of Justice alleging that “Chataev’s freedom is not reasonable decision for today”, is inadequate to the claimings of the government about being democratic and respecting justice and independence of prosecutor’s office, where equality and compatibility of parties will be protected,” said Nino Andriashvili.

In accordance to the Georgian law, representative of the prosecutor’s office is independent in his/her professional activities and senior officials’ interference in their activities will be perceived as hindering their activities that is punishable under the law.

Nino Andriashvili said it is not reasonable to keep injured person, particularly disabled one, in prison claiming that he can assist the investigation. Prosecutor’s Office can ensure special defense for the precious witness outside prison too.

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