Closed Hearing of Shalikashvilis’ Case

No Evidence against the Accused

Maka Malakmadze, Batumi

Natia and Tengo Shalikashvilis, the siblings are accused for organized robbery. Two testimonies of witnesses and victim’s statement are the only evidence against them. A criminal case has been launched against the mother of the siblings for the bribery of a witness. Levan Tevzadze, the judge of Khelvachauri District Court closed the trial based on the motion submitted by the prosecutor. Despite the request of defense side there will be no open trial until the final verdict is passed.

Victim Tsiala Bakuridze declines from comment. Marika Tsintsadze, the daughter of the victim does not want to speak about the incident as well.

Levan Tevzadze is judging the criminal case against the Shalikashvilis in Khelvachauri District Court. The first hearing was held on February 4, 2009. Giorgi Davitashvili, the district prosecutor requested to close the trial on this hearing. As you have already known, the judge upheld the request. Afterwards, the defense side mediated to open of the trial which was not upheld. Nana Vasadze, spokesperson of the Supreme Court said “Although the sides were interrogated, some privacy might be discussed at the trial. Therefore, only the verdict will be publicly announced.”

There are 2-3 persons in the case that were mentioned by the victim. Prosecutor Giorgi Davitashvili refuses to answer our question whether these persons are being searched or not.

The Shalikashvilis are accused to have robbed jewelry with the price of 3 000 GEL. However, the family of Shalikashvilis is rather well-off. Tengo Shalikashvili had 28 000 US Dollars on his bank account by the time the robbery was committed. He has been the sailor for 18 years and his monthly income is 8 000 US Dollars.

Violations Discovered in the Case

Initially, there was the one more accused in the case: Nodar Shanidze, husband of Natia Shalikashvili. During the investigation Nodar Shanidze was discharged based on the testimony of Father Sergi. He said that Nodar Shanidze was with him in a monastery on August 27, on the day when Tsiala Bakuridze was robbed. Consequently, the charge for robbery was abolished on him. Now Nodar is only accused for illegal keeping of weapon. Batumi City Court adjudicates his case now.

Only Natia Shalikashvili was bailed among accused people and the decision was made after 6-day-imprisonment. It must be pointed out that Natia Shalikashvili is pregnant in her fourth month. The family mortgaged their house to pay bail of 50 000 GEL.

There is no claiming in case materials or any finger-prints which could prove that Shalikashvilis were robbers. Furthermore, people described in the testimonies of witnesses completely differ from Shalikashvilis.

In addition to that, Tengo Shalikashvili has proof that his car was stopped in front of the bank when the robbery occurred. Witness who claims that he saw the car of Shalikashvili not far from the house can recall only the color of the car. He could not detect the sort of car or state number of it. On September 28, 2008 married couple Natia Shalikashvili and Nodar Shanidze was arrested based on operative phone call at 6: 00 am in their flat. “It was raining cats and dogs that night and we were not fast asleep. Rain leaked in the roof and we had to roll up mattresses. Several minutes later we heard knock on the door. About 30 officers from Criminal Police Department rushed into our house. Investigator Oleg Mikeladze told me we were blamed for the robber of Tsiala Bakuridze; they put us in irons and started to search the house. My mother-in-law went to our neighbors to invite them as witnesses. At that moment only policemen were in the house; they discovered guns under the mattresses that we had rolled up because of rain; the guns were planted by the policemen,” said Natia Shalikashvili.

Natia stated that law enforcers did not allow her to meet a lawyer. “Their reply was the lawyer will bring a lot of journalists and we do not want to make much fuss about it.” At the police station in Khelvachauri Natia Shalikashvili discovered that his brother Tengo Shalikashvili was also arrested.

Natia Shalikashvili: “Buba Bolkvadze, head of Khelvachauri police station and his deputy demanded me to plead guilty. They did not try to interrogate me to find out where I was when the robbery occurred. They demanded me to name two more people as companions. Later, participation of my husband was excluded based on the testimony of Father Sergi; and then law enforcers demanded me to name three robbers.”

It must be pointed out that victim states in her preliminary testimony that she saw two or three more people besides a woman and two men. All of them were standing at the entrance to the house. However, she could not recognize them.

Natia Shalikashvili: “Investigation compelled me to name three more people; that meant I had to doom three more people like we were doomed to imprisonment.”

Shalikashvili recalled how her brother was recognized by witness. Natela Kazeishvili (Nato Dolidze) could not initially recognize her and the process was repeated.

Natia Shalikashvili supposes that she will give birth to her child in prison. “I might give birth to my child in prison because they are trying to judge me soon. I did not have child for six year and finally I got pregnant. Now I wish they let me give normal birth to my child.”

Manoli Darchiashvili, mother of Shalikashvili, stated that her daughter has problematic pregnancy. She has negative rhesus of blood. As for Manoli Darchiashvili, she is charged for having bribed a witness. Her case is still in the process of preliminary investigation. Manoli was also interrogated: “I met the witness in the shop where she works. I did not bribe her or oppressed her. I just conversed with her about her testimony to the investigation.”

Yesterday, on February 16 the trial was postponed because one of the attorneys of the accused did not appeal to the court. Next trial was earmarked for February 24.

Batumi Office of Public Defender investigates the case. They will make corresponding conclusions on the case after the trial.