Co-founder of Mtavari Arkhi TV Giorgi Rurua attacked in prison
By Khatia Bzhalava
Thursday, November 5
Convict Giorgi Rurua, a co-founder and shareholder of TV channel Mtavari Arkhi, was attacked by other inmates in prison on November 2nd. As the Special Penitentiary Service informs, Rurua was taken out of his cell for a meeting with his lawyer, while inmates assaulted him physically and verbally. Opposition United National Movement party as well as Rurua’s lawyer stated that the attack had been organized by the government, however, the Special Penitentiary Service has dismissed the allegations that the attack was deliberate.
As the agency reports, the incident was handled by the staff of the penitentiary facility, however, as a result of the physical clash, Rurua suffered bruises on his face. According to the agency, 5 inmates involved in physical confrontation against Rurua have been transferred to a strict regime penitentiary facility. The Special Penitentiary Service has made public the video-footage public "to avoid any political speculations."
An investigation has been launched under Article 126, Part1, Subparagraph B of the Criminal Code of Georgia. As part of the investigation, Giorgi Rurua as well as inmates and inspectors have been interrogated.
According to Rurua’s lawyer Dimitri Sadzaglishvili, the attack was politically motivated, as he believes that the attackers were operating under the government instructions. Rurua has published a statement on social media, saying that he holds Bidzina Ivanishvili responsible for the incident.
MEP Anna Fotyga has responded to the issue and stated in her Twitter post that she is shocked by the incident. She believes that the Government of Georgia bears full responsibility for Rurua’s health/safety condition and calls on EU diplomats to visit Rurua and assess the situation.
Tbilisi City Court found Rurua guilty on July 30th and sentenced him to four years in prison for the illegal possession and carrying of firearms. However, opposition parties consider him a political inmate and demand his release on the ground of the March 8th agreement, reached alongside with the participation of the diplomatic missions of the USA and the EU.
