Human Rights Center Addressed Office of Prosecutor regarding the Statement of Leader of Parliamentary Minority

On Sunday of December 2nd, in the program of Rustavi 2 P.S. leader of parliamentary minority Davit Bakradze while talking about lists of political prisoners stated that in the list presented to the Parliament a person tried for a crime in Samtskhe-Javakheti was included. Bakradze did not name that person. Bakradze stated that there is a concrete person who is accused of attempt of raiding Georgian eparchy along with other crimes and during one such attempt he physically assaulted Georgian nun. Then, according to Bakradze, nun felt so bad that he was transferred to hospital to receive treatment.

On November 24th, on Maestro TV, guest of the talk show Press Press member of parliamentary minority Goga Khachidze also talked about Vahagn Chakhaliani and asked who thought to include this person in the list of political prisoners.

According to information of Human Rights Center, leader of parliamentary minority Davit Bakradze also referred to Vahagn Chakhaliani who is from the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti. It was Human Rights Center who recommended to include him in the list of political prisoners (See the link of supposed political prisoners presented to Parliament by Human Rights Center: Human Rights Center requests honorable release of political prisoner).

For years Vahagn Chakhaliani under the defense of Human Rights Center has been protesting illegal verdict made against him. In this verdict the fact of physical assault of nun has never been mentioned.

Leader of parliamentary minority Davit Bakradze committed criminal act according to Georgian legislation – a slander. He violated presumption of innocence and accused person of crime of which he is not guilty of according to court decision.

Human Rights Center has addressed Main of Prosecutor to study irresponsible statement of leader of parliamentary minority and interrogate him regarding the fact of slander.

Additional Information: Leader and political activists of political movement Democratic Alliance of United Javakhki Vahagn Chakhaliani was arrested in the summer of 2008 in Akhalkalaki with his father and younger brother. According to April 7, 2009 decision of Akhaltsikhe regional court Vahagn Chakhaliani was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Human Rights Center studied this case and concluded that the guilty verdict made against Vahagn Chakhaliani and his family members has a political context.