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Criminal Case Might Be Launched Against the Editor of 'Kartlis Khma'

October 27, 2006

saba1.gifAccording to Saba Tsitsikashvili, representative of the 'Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre’ in Gori, his testimony given to the Gori District Court has been disfigured. The testimony introduced in the Court report is completely different from what Mr. Tsitsikashvili gave to the trial. The case deals with the attack on the journalist on September 5, 2005. Kakhaber Khikhalishvili is detained as an accused in the case. Khikhakishvili was recognized and now he was sentenced to nine-year-imprisonment according to the verdict passed by Gori District Court. One phrase recorded in the court report by Judge Zaza Ramishvili’s secretary can result into launching a criminal case against journalist Saba Tsitsikashvili on the basis of giving false testimony. 

The accused side appealed the verdict of Gori District Court at the Appeal Court. According to Tsitsikashvili, Kakha Khikhalishvili was a member of the group who Mikheil Kareli and his security guards ordered to attack, threaten and blackmail those who they disliked. Kakha Khikhalashvili is accused for participating in the attack on businessman Givi Jamelashvili from Gori and his son.

Saba Tsitsikashvili stated that the testimony he had given to the Gori District Court was recorded wrongly. More precisely, the report states that Tsitsikashvili has recognized the accused but there is also another phrase: "I think..."

According to lawyers, this phrase in the case should be used in offender's favor and lessened his charge. Both Preliminary Investigation and Tsitsikashvili's confrontation with Khikhalishvili, [both facts were recorded] proved that the journalist recognized the offender among several persons. Besides that, the description of the attacker made during preliminary investigation coincides with the detainee's appearance.

Saba Tsitsikashvili stated: "Everything is done against the journalist and freedom of expression. Officials at the local Court blatantly breach the Procedural Code. I was informed that the accused was not recognized by me according to the trial report having stated: 'I think the attacker was Khikhalishvili…' that is absurd. I did not say that phrase during the essential discussion of the case at the court. The report is fraudulent and is changed to please the Governor and his people. Khikhalishvili is a close relative of Gabriel Pavliashvili, member of Misha Kareli's [governor of Shida Kartli] security guard.  At present Gabro Pavliashvili is a security guard of the Defense Minster, Irakli Okruashvili.”

“My family members have been threatened by these people for a year. They order my relatives to keep me away from chasing them. They also threatened to take revenge on me after the detainee has been released from the prison. They say they can not make a deal since the journalist prevents them doing so. As for trial report, the testimony made during the preliminary investigation is abrogated. That is 'false testimony' and is charged under the law."

Saba Tsitsiakshvili, Gori

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