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Minority demands Parliament’s involvement in a death case

By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, April 3
The parliamentary minority demand the formation of temporary parliamentary commission to investigate the death of Shalva Tatukhashvili. The deceased was a witness in terms of a formal official’s case. The parliamentary majority state that the initiative will be discussed.

Tatukhashvili was found dead on March 24. From 2005-2012, Tatukhashvili had been working in the Constitutional Security Department and on January 12, 2006, he served as the Acting Head of the Special Forces of the so-called CSD.

The Chief Prosecutor’s Office claims that Tatukhashvili directly participated and was involved in the “Navtlughi Special Operation” conducted by the Constitutional Security Department and chaired by Data Akhalaia, which resulted in the murder of three people.

The Chief-Prosecutor’s Office states that on February 24, 2014, while being interrogated in the capacity of a witness at the Prosecutor’s Office, in the presence of two lawyers, Tatukhashvili gave an incriminating testimony to the investigation regarding the murder of three unarmed young men organized and carried out by Data Akhalaia.

“Shalva Tatukhashvili stated in his testimony how the special operation was conducted and how the officers of the CSD, led by Data Akhalaia, murdered three people. Accordingly, he was a witness for the prosecution, and special measures of protection were applied to him in accordance with the procedural legislation,” the Chief-Prosecutor’s Office states, adding that later on, the witness himself refused the special protection measures.

Irakli Zakareishvili, who is a lawyer of former officials - brothers Data and Bacho Akhalaia, as well as Bacho Akhalaia’s wife Ani Nadareishvili, state that there were signs of torture on the body of Tatukhashvili. Zakareishvili released some photo materials as well. Family members of Tatukhashvili held a protest in front of the Prosecutor’s Office on April 1, speaking about the pressure from the prosecutor’s side on the deceased victim.

“There is high public interest over the issue, and there are many unanswered questions pertaining to the case. Thus, the creation of the temporary commission in parliament to investigate the death is important,” United National Movement member Levan Bezhashvili said.

Georgian Dream coalition member Manana Kobakhidze states that the Prosecutor’s Office is very much interested in the investigation into the death, as Tatukhashvili was a prosecutor’s witness. “As for the special commission, we will discuss the initiative and make a decision,” Kobakhidze said.

The Public Defender of Georgia Ucha Nanuashvili states that the necessary materials related to the case have already been requested and the public will be informed about the outcomes of examination.

The Public Defender of Georgia urges all investigative bodies to conduct an effective, rapid and impartial investigation of the case.