Twenty-six-year-old Prisoner Was Sentenced to Six-Year-Imprisonment for Free Expression

Twenty-six-year-old prisoner, Otar Dzimistarashvili, was judged second times without having been released from prison. Initially Batumi Civil Court found Dzimistarashvili guilty for illegal storage and purchase of drugs. Judge Jemal Kiknadze sentenced him to three-year-imprisonment and to three-year-suspended-term. The condemned did not plead guilty and he appealed against the verdict at the Kutaisi Appeal Court. Batumi Prosecutor’s Office also appealed against the verdict and demeaned to grave the charge on the accused.

Leila Shetsiruli, judge at the Kutaisi Appeal Court, satisfied the demand of Giorgi Davitashvili, Batumi Regional Prosecutor, and sentenced Dzimistarashvili to six-year-imprisonment. The prisoner protested the decision. “I have not committed the crime but you have judged me twice as if I were a slave. Consequently, I state that officials from present judicial system are worse that robbers,” said Dzimistarashvili. Judge Shetsiruli considered the prisoner’s statement to be the support of organized criminals.

Everybody describes Otar Dzimistarishvili positively.

Although the Human Rights Center sent a written demand on the copy of the verdict passed on Dzimistarishvili, Jemal Kiknadze, the chairman of the Batumi Civil Court, refused to send it.

Human Rights Center is deeply concerned regarding the situation and assesses the fact as a restriction of the freedom of expression. The center calls upon corresponding bodies, Public Defender’s Office, international society, media and non-governmental organizations to react on the situation.