MIA finds new video-tapes

www.media.ge

Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Garibashvili stated 21 June that law enforcers have found four more barrels with firearms, video-tapes and documents. 

Minister Garibashvili said in Rustavi 2 program Position that the barrels have been found in a cache in Samegrelo region.  According to him, the given fact is being investigated and additional information will be publicized later on. 

20 June MIA showed to journalists at closed meeting the video-footages found in Samegrelo region several days before on torture of people in prisons, based on which active or former policemen have been detained.  At the meeting with media Garibashvili confirmed that torture of people was taking place before the last year’s October Parliamentary elections. 

Minister told Rustavi 2 presenter that there is high probability that these footages may also be held by others, including current or former police officers. 

Irakli Garibashvili said that a draft law is being developed which provides for criminal liability of those who are holding or circulating such footages without authorization.  Minister called on such persons to submit such materials as it would free them from criminal liability. 

According to the Minister, MIA is working on identifying the illegal holders of the footages showing torture of people.  Garibashvili stated that torture of people was an approved practice and for the given “system crime” former high authorities of government will not be able to avoid responsibility. 

A journalist told media.ge that he has seen footage that has been recorded by a police employee with his mobile phone.  According to media.ge respondent, the policeman said that he copied the given video from another policeman.  The video seen by the journalist showed how a detained person is being tortured and raped in Kutaisi (western Georgia) police station.