Statement of Human Rights Center about Citizens Deceased on the Previous Day of Rose Revolution

Human Rights Center requests the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to revise the cases of Davit Sakvarelidze and Eter Tsuliashvili, deceased on November 22, 2003, when their car BMW crashed military vehicle of the Security Ministry. 

Human Rights Center believes alleged perpetrators are known in the case and the investigation process is dragged out on purpose. We have requested punishment of the offenders several times during the past ten years but under the governance of the United National Movement law enforcement bodies were not interested in the resolution of this crime in order not to damage reputation of “bloodless” Rose Revolution.

On November 22, 2003, special armored vehicle GTR # 004, owned by Special Operation Center of the State Security Ministry of Georgia, was driving from Rustavi towards Tbilisi. The driver was Avtandil Mamaladze. At about 18:25 pm, in Gorgasali Street, the GTR crashed a motorcar BMW, which was driven by Davit Sakvarelidze.

Passenger Eter Tsuliashvili died when delivered to the hospital. Davit Sakvarelidze was placed in Tbilisi Hospital # 1, where he deceased on November 24, 2003. Children sitting in the car – Sopo Tsuliashvili and Badri Tsuliashvili, were also injured.

On November 23, 2003 Tbilisi Investigative Unit of the Georgian MIA launched criminal case # 1003544 on the car-accident under Article 276 part V of the Criminal Code of Georgia. 

Despite the significant violations observed during preliminary investigation, Mariam Sakvarelidze has not stopped struggle for the truth during past nine years. After having applied to all instances of the national courts, Mariam Sakvarelidze applied to the European Court of Human Rights with the support of Human Rights Center.

Although the Center requested the Chief Prosecutor’s Office to renew investigation into the case after the Parliamentary Elections of October 1, 2012, nothing was done even under the new government.

Human Rights Center addresses to the elected President, Prime Minister and future Chief Prosecutor to have political will to put an end to the case and punish perpetrators in accordance to the law. 

Human Rights Center