Human Rights Centre Protests Transfer of Convict to Penitentiary Establishment #7

Nino Akhobadze 

On September 18, in the press club of Prime Time, Human Rights Centre held press conference about illegal transfer of severely ill prisoner Genadi Jeladze to Prison #7 penitentiary establishment. 

As family members and Lawyer Tamar Avaliani of Human Rights stated Genadi Jeladze has Diabetes 2. He takes insulin four times per day. The convict is victim of torture and got health problems as a result of torture and ill treatment in the penitentiary establishment. 

Genadi Jeladze was moved to #7 penitentiary establishments on 16 September in evening hours. Before, he was in medical unit of Rustavi Prison # 6, where he received special treatment that was unlawfully terminated due to his transfer. 

The living conditions in #7 penitentiary establishment are intolerable. Public defender of Georgia several times addressed to the the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Aid regarding the problem, but in vain. 

Tamar Avaliani, lawyer of Human Rights Centre: “There are unbearable conditions in the closed penitentiary establishment: dampness, no air-conditioning, darkness… double bars block air and light, neither ventilation system supplies the facility with fresh air. Genadi Jeladze’s life is under threat in such conditions. He needs insulin injections four times a day, needs special nutrition and conditions. His cell-mate twice saved him from death”.

Lika Khazbegi, Genadi Jeladze’s wife: “Not only my husband but even healthy person can get sick in such condition. We hope, with the support of Human Rights Center the problem will be resolved.”

European Court of Human Rights underlines in its numerous judgments, that according to Article 3 of the Convention, no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading 

treatment or punishment. 

Human Rights Centre supports Genadi Jeladze’s family and believes that being in #7 penitentiary establishment threats the convict’s life and health. Therefor, the organization addresses to the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Aid for immediate transfer of convict Genadi Jeladze in semi open penitentiary establishment.