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Relatives of the Dead Person Request Punishment of the Perpetrator

October 6, 2014
 
Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Relatives of Mirza Buchuadze, killed by a police officer in Youth Avenue, Kutaisi, demand impartial investigation and strict punishment of the perpetrator. The accident occurred on October 3, during the chasing operation in the suburb of the city. Mirza Buchuadze, 21, was shot by a police officer. As a result of grave injury of the head skull, he died one hour after delivery to the hospital.

“No advantages. No investigation. I demand strict punishment of the perpetrator. The police officer shot innocent boy, people have witnessed it and they can confirm it. He must be punished regardless the fact he is a police officer or not. Police officers must be careful and protect citizen’s interests. Why did he shoot the boy? How can they speak about thievery and bad behavior, when he was working hard in Turkey to help his family? I cannot recall any person offended by the poor boy. He was an honest, calm boy. He arrived from turkey two days ago,” the neighbors say.

Neighbors, as well as Buchuadze’s family members do not trust the official version of the MIA, which claims that the killed boy was suspected in the robbery of a shop and ran away from police. Reportedly, a grocery was robbed and Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regional department of MIA pursued after the person. According to the local population, law enforcement officers were patrolling in the area all day long. 

Eye-witnesses clarify Mirza Buchuadze had no connection with the robbery of the shop. During the incident, he drove nearby the shop by his friend’s car; he did not stop the car as ordered by police officers just because he did not have driving license. 

Western Georgia’s Regional Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the fact. The criminal case was launched under Article 333 Part III-b of the Criminal Code of Georgia (abuse of power by using firearm) and Article 108 (premeditated murder). The police officer was already accused of the crime. Kutaisi Regional Prosecutor’s Office has already petitioned to the Kutaisi City Court and requested imprisonment as preventive measure against him. If the crime is confirmed, the police officer faces imprisonment from 7 to 15 years.

Urgent investigative activities are conducted in the scene of the accident to estimate factual circumstances of the criminal case. Forensic medical expertise is also studying the reasons of the young man’s death.

“Investigation is not necessary at all.  I know that police officer killed my son and he must be punished. Why he shot him, who told him that my son was robber? Did they catch him on the scene of crime and chase him afterwards? Of course not. I am sure in one thing – I will not stop until the perpetrator is strictly punished. I must see myself that the police officer is punished for the murder of innocent boy,” father of the dead young boy Zaza Buchuadze said.

Humanrights.ge called Giorgi Chikaberidze, chairman of the Kutaisi office of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, who was asked when a police officer can open fire. “Firearm can be used only in case of stand-your-ground or emergency situation. It is regulated by Article 34 of the Police Law of Georgia. In accordance to the law, police officer has right to use firearm only in emergency situation.”

Giorgi Chikaberidze clarified that investigation first of all shall estimate whether police officer had case of stand-your-ground or emergency situation. As for the evaluation of the fact, he refrains from commenting on it before the investigation finishes.

Public Defender’s Office also studies the case. “Investigative bodies shall ensure rapid and effective investigation. Public Defender’s Office will necessarily conduct monitoring of the investigation. Besides that, the Ombudsman hopes the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia will soon update society with the information about the fact. Similar facts once again confirm the need for establishment of independent investigation agency that would ensure existence of non-biased investigation mechanism in the country,” head of Public Defender’s regional office Mikheil Mindadze said. 

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