11 Officers of Senaki Brigade Questioned in Akhalaia’s Case

11 officers of Senaki Brigade were questioned at Bachana Akhalaia’s Trial. The witnesses said soldiers were brought to the territory of their brigade and locked in the bathroom in February of 2010.

Sergeant Valeri Kalatozi, questioned regarding the Senaki episode in Bachana Akhalaia’s case, said that on February 17, 2010 he and several other soldiers were ordered to protect the bathroom building in the territory of Senaki brigade; they were told that people were inside it.

Sergeant Khaburdzania also confirmed the information and said that he really saw armed soldiers standing around the bathroom territory. He added that several months later he accidentally learned from his colleague that punished soldiers were locked in the bathroom then. Guram Tsanava, who was on duty on that night, confirmed that he was asked for the key to the bathroom and told that people were to be taken into it; then he personally saw about 20 soldiers led into the bathroom.

Former defense minister Bachana Akhalaia is accused of verbal and physical assault of military servants in Senaki military base in February of 2010; according to the Senaki episode in Akhalaia’s case, 19 military servants were brought to Senaki base and locked in the bathroom during three days.