Samtredia Chief Police Officer Arrested for Arbitrary Detention

Mari Tabidze, Samtredia

On December 13, law enforcement officers arrested Zviad Oboladze, head of Samtredia district police department. He is accused of arbitrary detention of Sergo Kigurade, 22, on August 19. Kiguradze was member of the public movement November 7 and actively participated in the pre-election campaign of Coalition Georgian Dream and its majoritarian candidate in Samtredia district Kaladze during pre-election period. 

Sergo Kiguradze was 2003-2008 champion of Georgia in free style and Greek-Romanian wrestling. 

Kiguradze was arrested in his uncle’s house in Samtredia. Police used force when detention him and physically abused his family members. After Kiguradze was delivered to Samtredia police office, his relatives protested his detention in front of the police office and his cousin Temur Kiguradze was also arrested.

During incident, Kiguradze’s aunt Maya Akhobadze was injured by Zviad Oboladze’s firearm and she was taken to Kutaisi regional hospital with injuries on the face and jaw.

One motive of Zviad Oboladze’s arrest was controversy between Kaladze and chief police officer. Oboladze does not plead guilty.

On December 16, prosecutor requested to impose imprisonment on Oboladze as preventive measure at the Kutaisi City Court. According to the prosecutor, Zviad Oboladze abused his professional authority when he was trying to detain Sergo Kiguradze and injured the woman by a firearm.

Prosecutor Davit Lepert clarified that based on witness testimonies, Oboladze’s charge might be further burdened. Current accusation against him is punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 8 years in prison.

The accused said people interrogated in his case were politically engaged and support Georgian Dream. He requested freedom at the trial because he, father of five children, could not hide from investigation.

On December 14, Imereti regional governor Vakhtang Balavadze and MP Giorgi Tevdoradze from the parliamentary minority commented on Oboladze’s detention. They evaluated the fact as political oppression by Georgian Dream and declared Oboladze to be a personal prisoner of Kaladze.

“The government instills fear in the society with similar facts and arrests innocent people to oppress them. I am afraid everything will return back to this government like a boomerang,” said Giorgi Tevdoradze.

“Zviad Oboladze is not a person who deserves isolation from the society and placement in penitentiary establishment. So, I request to release him either under guardianship or 3000 lari bail. Clergymen are ready to be his guardians and the court shall necessarily consider this fact,” said Eliso Datusani, Oboladze’s lawyer.

Court imposed 10 000 lari bail on Oboladze and he has to pay the sum within 30 days. The court will hold next trial on his case on February 5, 2013.