“Block 13th in Georgian” – The Film about Impunity Syndrome

 Tako Khutsishvili

On March 12, the Human Rights Centre presented Giorgi Janelidze’s film “Block 13th in Georgian” in Public Defender’s office; it is investigative film about the death of Vasil Amonishvili; he was member of security guard at Public Registration Agency.

30-year-old Vasil Amonishvili died during the quarrel in Moscow Avenue in Tbilisi on June 11, 2008. His mother and aunt alleged that the brothers Berdzenishvilis participated in the murder; one of them Merab is the security guard member of the President Mikheil Saakashvili, and second brother Vazha is a policeman.

Nino Mikiashvili, the journalist for Presa.ge was first who got interested in the murder of Vasil Amonishvili and wrote a long article about it. The article of Nino Mikiashvili -“Mr. President Why did your guard kill my son?!” was published on October 5, 2009 on Presa.ge. According to Giorgi Janelidze, the film was prepared based on the article.

Family members of Vasil Amonishvili attended the presentation.

“The film is about impunity syndrome reigning throughout the country which leaves its traces in everybody’s life. There are questions in the film which shall be answered. They should investigate the case and the criminals should be punished. Unfortunately, the leading media sources never wished to prepare a reportage about the accident”, said Ucha Nanuashvili, executive director of the Human Rights Centre after the presentation.

Giorgi Janelidze, the author of the film: “We tried to provide more information about the murder, which is not investigated yet. We do not blame anyone. The main message is our request to start investigation on the murder and bring criminals to the court”.

Nino Mikiashvili, the journalist of Presa.ge: “The film is very interesting. Giorgi gained more information than I had in my article. The important information is that, no one called police and the journalist received an official document proving that Berdzenishvili worked at the state security. The fact proves the doubt of mother that Saakashvili’s security guard killed her son. I think, similar films are very important for our welfare; to prevent murderers from killing new Vasil Amonishvilis tomorrow and afterwards; if the murderer is punished, other murderers would never dare to do the same. Criminals should have feeling that they live in normal country and they will be punished for the crimes committed”.

Gulnaz Amonishvili, mother of Vasil Amonishvili: “First of all, I am very thankful to Iura Vazagashvili, who assisted me to get in touch with Nino and only your centre responded to the article. I wrote in newspapers but nobody got interested in my pain. Everyone is busy with their political problems. Now I have feeling that my son is still alive; that someone has already found out the truth”.

According to Ucha Nanuashvili, the Human Rights Centre will send the film to Georgian media sources in near future and will request them to show it to the broader society.