Human Rights Center addresses to media sources, particularly TV-Companies holding license on general broadcasting, to cover the ongoing hearing at the Akhaltsikhe district court into the criminal case against Lela Shvelidze launched under Article 125 Paragraph I of the Criminal Code of Georgia (physical assault).
Lela Shvelidze is member of religious minority group - Jehovah Witnesses. The activities implemented by the law enforcement bodies in the case raise significant questions. There is only one direct witness in the case, who declared to the representatives of Human Rights Center that he did not eye-witness the incident [between the victim and accused person] and was compelled to sign testimony against Shvelidze when he was drunk. His family members also confirm his statement.
There is a collective letter of the neighbors in the case materials, which claims that victim person is aggressive to other neighbors too and insults them. Case circumstances raise doubt that law enforcement bodies launched criminal case against Lela Shvelidze instead starting investigation into her alleged persecution on religious grounds.
Next trial is scheduled at 16:00 pm on December 2 at the Akhalstsikhe district court. Video-recording and media coverage of the process will promote transparency of the judiciary system and will provide society with significant information about ongoing sensitive case.
Human Rights Center