Public Defender Condemns Death of Georgian Citizen in Occupied Abkhazia, Holds Russia Responsible
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, December 11, 2023
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani addressed the death of a Georgian citizen Temur Karbaia, resulting from an assault by the local militia in the occupied Abkhazia and issued a statement in which the Ombudsman noted that the Russian Federation is responsible for the incident.
Ioseliani urged the Georgian authorities and all international organizations to exert maximum efforts in ensuring an effective investigation, the punishment of criminals, and holding Russia accountable.
"It should be noted that the responsibility for the alleged violation of the right to life of a Georgian citizen rests with the Russian Federation, as it is the entity exercising control over the occupied territory.
The Public Defender calls on the authorities of Georgia, as well as all international human rights protection and monitoring organizations, to exert maximum efforts in ensuring an effective investigation of the mentioned incident, punishing the perpetrators, and holding the Russian Federation accountable," Ioseliani said.
The Public Defender expressed regret that those responsible for the murders of four Georgian citizens: Davit Basharuli, Giga Otkhozoria, Archil Tatunashvili, and Irakli Kvaratskhelia, have not faced consequences under the occupation regime. Ioseliani's statement also emphasized the uninvestigated murder of a Georgian citizen, Tamaz Ginturi, which took place a month ago in the occupied territory near the village of Kirbali. The Public Defender is critical of the lack of accountability and justice in these cases.
"It is regrettable that the occupation regime has yet to hold accountable those responsible for the murders of four Georgian citizens-Davit Basharuli, Giga Otkhozoria, Archil Tatunashvili, and Irakli Kvaratskhelia. Furthermore, the murder of a Georgian citizen in the occupied territory near the village of Kirbali a month ago remains uninvestigated.
Against this backdrop, the involvement of international organizations and the global community becomes particularly crucial for preventing alleged violations of the right to life. The impunity of such actions poses a significant danger to the lives of Georgian citizens," The Public Defender's statement reads.
Ioseliani conveyed profound sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the family members of the deceased.
