Restoration of Justice or Political Persecution – Cases on Former Senior Officials

Nino Devidze

Human Rights House Tbilisi organized a round table on the cases of former senior officials. Representatives of the civil society organizations and experts participated in the discussion.

„The purpose of the meeting is to review cases of former senior officials and discuss whether it is restoration of justice, establishment of the rule of law or political persecution. We are facing a dilemma; on the one hand opposition claims it is a political persecution and on the other hand civil society keeps silence – does not make any evaluations because accused people were those former senior officials, against whom we requested launch of investigation,’ HRHT coordinator Nino Gvedashvili said at the round table.

Human Rights Center monitored trials on the cases of former senior officials. Executive director Aleko Tskitishvili said principle of fair trial was mostly ensured at the trials. “Human Rights Center monitored trials but our purpose was not to find out whether former senior officials were under political persecution or not. We observed the quality of judiciary procedures and in this direction we can state that prosecutor’s office no longer has influence over the court like it had in the past. Judges upheld all solicitations, which were well grounded by the lawyers. Compatibility was also ensured except some cases and it is one of the main principles of the fair trial.”

Project director from Transparency International Georgia Gia Gvilava agreed with the findings of the Human Rights Center. “Main purpose of our monitoring is to inform society about ongoing processes in the courtrooms. Judges more or less successfully implement their responsibilities. In some cases, prosecutor’s office presented unprepared witnesses; they often spoke about unrelated topics; though it happened when Archil Kbilashvili was chief prosecutor of Georgia. Nowadays, prosecutors are better represented at trials. However, neither lawyers are perfect; but when they make mistake it is their fault; whilst in case of prosecutors, their mistakes are mistakes of the system.”

Head of the Human Rights Priority Lia Mukhashavria said in-depth monitoring of the trials on former senior officials is needed. “If principle of fair trial is breached, a person, regardless his status, becomes victim of state persecution. I doubt former senior officials are victims of political persecution. Investigations are not properly and fairly conducted and we see it at trials. Accusations shall not be imposed on political figures in similar manner. Similar procedures shall be conducted very transparently that will enable the state to prove that detainees are not victims of political persecution.”

Representatives of the Human Rights Center said the discussions will continue in future too because it is very important.