Georgia’s prosecutors charge 7 over alleged prison violence

Georgia’s prosecutors have charged 7 people over alleged violence against inmate Davit Peikrishvili, Deputy Prosecutor General Amiran Guluashvili announced on 13 November. They include Giorgi Pataridze, the former head of the Special Penitentiary Service, and Ramaz Pirtskhalava, the former director of Gldani Prison No. 8.

The charges follow allegations by Peikrishvili’s family and lawyers that fellow inmates were deliberately placed in his cell to pressure him. He was hospitalized twice with multiple injuries in October, Civil.ge said. The family and later Peikrishvili also alleged that the group sought access to his phone. Some group members reportedly had a history of conflict with him and his brother.

What prosecutors allege

Guluashvili said the five inmates were placed in Peikrishvili’s cell on 16 October at inmate Vato Kipiani’s request, on Pataridze’s instruction and by Pirtskhalava’s decision. He alleged that they began physically assaulting Peikrishvili that day and continued until 20 October.

Guluashvili said the violence caused multiple injuries, including 4 fractured ribs, fractures to the transverse processes of vertebrae and a concussion. Prosecutors classified the injuries as less serious bodily harm resulting in prolonged health impairment.

Pataridze is charged with exceeding official authority and Pirtskhalava with abusing official authority. Each faces up to 3 years in prison if convicted. The five inmates are charged with deliberately inflicting less serious harm to health, an offense carrying 4 to 6 years in prison.

The inmates named are Vato Kipiani, Bilanishvili, who is known as “Katsro,” Shota Kipiani, Pavle Gotsiridze and Davit Katcharava. Civil.ge gives Bilanishvili’s first name as Shota in its list of defendants and Avtandil elsewhere.

Genews also identified Katsro as Avtandil Bilanishvili, though the discrepancy in the reports remains unresolved.

The investigation

Peikrishvili was detained with his twin brother in September on charges of legalizing illicit revenues in large amounts. Vato Kipiani, Bilanishvili and Shota Kipiani were arrested on 15 October on group-violence charges.

Genews reported that the Justice Ministry’s General Inspectorate initially investigated the case before it was transferred to the Prosecutor General’s Office. Prosecutors recommended that the ministry suspend Pataridze’s authority, after which he resigned, the outlet reported.

The penitentiary service initially denied the assault. The Prosecutor General’s Office later took over the investigation, Pataridze resigned and Pirtskhalava was dismissed. The 13 November statement did not say whether prosecutors would seek pre-trial detention for the two former officials.

Genews reported on 29 October that Peikrishvili’s mother, Nino Abramishvili, and former wife, Ano Ananiashvili, attended questioning at the prosecutor’s office. Ananiashvili said the family wanted Pirtskhalava removed and arrested. Peikrishvili’s lawyer, Paata Gogiashvili, told Genews he did not doubt the investigation’s objectivity and expected more serious charges and a wider circle of accused people. He wanted everyone directly or indirectly involved held accountable.