Khatiashvili States Lawyer Gabaidze Was Intimidated that Is Inadmissible

Chairman of the Georgian Bar Association Zaza Khatiashvili said lawyer Gogita Gabaidze was intimidated that was inadmissible fact.

Khatiashvili’s statement about the issue:

“During nine-year governance of Saakashvili’s regime institute of lawyers was mostly targeted in the country. 157 lawyers were judged. Lawyers and their family members were harassed to compel them to refuse to implement their professional duties. Lawyers were degraded that encouraged international human rights organizations to evaluate activities of lawyers in Georgia as the risk field. Apparently, the new government successfully studied the lesson of the previous government and continued degrading of lawyers that is astonishing fact and unexpected from the government which came in power under the slogan of restoring justice. On April 11, lawyer Gogita Gabaidze was harassed. On that day Gogita Gabaidze arrived at the Financial Police Department for his duties; he was requested to leave his two cell phones at the reception. Afterwards, a uniformed person requested him to remove watch, ring and bracelet. He was also requested to take off shoes and security guards wanted to search him. They tried to inspect him with special equipment. When confused lawyer inquired why they were doing illegal things, they told they had received similar instruction. Lawyer Gogita Gabadize was hindered to implement his duties and he had to leave the financial police building. I would like to remind the new government, which is still in euphoria, that similar activities contradict the UN Resolution on the Role of Lawyer and UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990) which are guidelines for the entire civilized world with regard to lawyers. Article 16 of the UN Basic Principles state that “Governments shall ensure that lawyers(a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and (c)shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.” and finally I would like to note that neither Saakashvili and his government started all those illegal things from the very beginning. Whilst, it is not first fact when Khaduri and his institution acted illegally with regard to civil sector. Bar Association calls upon Nodar Khaduri to act sensibly and not hinder lawyers to implement their duties because it will damage international reputation of the country. Bar Association appealed to the Chief Prosecutor to punish every person who ordered to hinder the lawyer to implement his duties,” the statement reads.

www.pirveli.com.ge