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Defense Minister Approves Captain Lomsadze’s Activity

April 4, 2005

 Defense Minister Approves Captain Lomsadze’s Activity

Private Arkadi Kukava of the Saguramo military unit has been brought to the resuscitation department of the military hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia. His condition is reported to be severe. According to available information, he felt unwell even on March 9, when he was drafted. Despite this, the head of the unit Gela Lomsadze punished him by putting him on duty naked to the waist all night long. Later, his state worsened and he was taken to the military hospital on March 23.

The worsening of his condition was followed by the protests of other soldiers, who accuse Lomsadze of being violent towards them.  According to the soldiers Lomsadze often came to the unit drunk, abusing and humiliating the army recruits.

The Public Defender’s Office points out that Lomsadze’s activity, depending on the specific facts, could be considered criminal action.  They advised the Prosecutor General’s Office to start a criminal case and bring Lomsadze to court.

But Defence Minister Irakli Oqruashvili, who visited the Saguramo Military unit, said that Lomsadze did nothing inconsistent with the law and that he did not violate the rights of soldiers. According to Oqruashvili, Lomsadze will retain his current position.

Oqruashvili approved his methods and encouraged him to proceed in this way. “The captain behaved in a proper way, and I urge him to continue his work until the soldiers are in appropriate physical form.”

The Minister of Defense also criticized the statement made by the representative of the Prosecutor’s Office, who said that some officers connected to this case would be punished.

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