Trial on Prison Torture Is Closed

Judge of City Court Vazha Pukhashvili made decision to close the trial on torture and inhuman treatment of prisoners which means that only the case parties will be allowed to attend the trial.

Judge substantiated his decision by saying that the publicity of the trial might damage the right to private life and endanger the safety of defendants.

“We understand high public interest regarding this concrete case. However, since the defendants are accused of the crimes of sexual violence, we decide to close the trial as the publicity might endanger private life of sufferers on the one hand and on the other hand, it might endanger safety of the defendants”- Judge Pukhashvili noted.

After the dissemination of video material depicting torture of prisoners, officials of penitentiary department including Davit Chakua, Gaga Mkurnaladze, Levan Purtskhvanidze and the disseminator of the torture videos Vladimer Bedukadze and 14 more people were accused of torture and inhuman treatment.

According to the judge, according to the law, the proceeding where the verdict will be announced will be held public.