After Jehovah Witness Was Acquitted Prosecutor’s Office Started Obscure Investigation

Natia Gogolashvili

“In response to your letter sent to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia on February 26, 2015, where you inquired about the physical and verbal assault of Gela and Lela Shvelidzes in the town of Aspindza, we would like to notify that the Aspindza district office of the MIA started investigation into the aforementioned facts under Article 125 Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia,” detective-investigator Zviad Ivanidze from Aspindza district office of MIA wrote to the lawyer Manuchar Tsimintia, who defended rights of the Jehovah Witnesses.

Several months ago, (in November 2014) Akhaltsikhe district court discussed discussed the criminal case against Jehovah Witness Lela Shvelidze. She was accused under Article 125 Part I of the Criminal Code of Georgia that refers to beating or other violence. Zina Zedginidze-Ninua from Aspindza was victim in the criminal case. On January 15, 2015 the Akhaltsikhe District Court acquitted Lela Shvelidze in the charge. Lawyer Tamar Avaliani of Human Rights Center also defended interests of Lela Shvelidze together with Mr. Tsimintia. At the trial, the lawyers solicited to impose liability on the police officers and representatives of the prosecutor’s office, who illegally persecuted Lela Shvelidze during preliminary investigation.

Tamar Avaliani said the prosecutor’s office imposed charge on Lela Shvelidze subjectively and signs of religious discrimination were detected in the case.

“After the Akhaltsikhe district court acquitted Lela Shvelidze, the lawyers solicited to start investigation against the prosecutor and police officers, who personally participated in the investigative activities; more precisely who imposed charge on Shvelidze. The investigation was launched into alleged abuse of power by police officers but litigation has not started against the prosecutor, who supervised the investigative group,” lawyer Tamar Avaliani of Human Rights Center said.

Lawyer Manuchar Tsimintia said that according to the letter from the Aspindza district police department it is obscure against whom the investigation started because the letter only reads that investigation was launched into the fact.

Tsimintia said it is also unclear why the investigation was started under Article 125 Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (beating or other violence). According to him, during one of the incidents Zina Ninua really physically abused Lela Shvelidze but she did not beat her; also Zina Ninua verbally insulted the Jehovah Witness. As Manuchar Tsimintia said administration litigation should have launched against Zina Ninua in order to combat similar facts in future.