Zurab Skhirtladze the investigator from the Ministry of the Internal Affairs, Old Tbilisi 3rd division conducts Gamsakhurdia’s Investigation. To this day injured party David Badjelidze and an independent expert-investigator George Gogia, (who disproved previously conducted results of Chemical analysis showing traces of gunpowder on Gamsakhurdia) have not been interrogated. Experts do not interest Gamsakhurdia ether.

During Gamsakhurdia’s investigation, the investigators violated the remonstrative Criminal Codes of Georgia: article18, article10, article129, article130, article132, article231, article 140, article 142, article 145, article 160, article 232, article 356 and 366. Also they violated the articles 5 and 6 adopted by the European Convention for the protection of human rights and liberties.

From the day of his arrest it is already 20th day that Gamsakhurdia holds hunger strike, for the last 7 days he protests with dry hunger strike. He is extremely weak and has problem walking. Despite the well-publicized information of Gamsakhurdia’s health condition in prison, the result of his continues protestation of accusations with hunger strike; Georgian Public Defendant Mr. Giorgi Tugushi has not yet visited or spoken with Gamsakhurdia in prison.
Sins 14.11.2009, in Tbilisi, in Georgian Public Defendant’s office 51 Georgian Citizens including Gamsakhurdia’s mother Mrs. Manana Gamsakhurdia-Archvadze have held Protest Hunger-strike for his immediate release from the prison.

The attorney of the accused, Keti Beqauri appealed against Tsotne Gamsakhurdia’s two month pre-trial. Judge Manuchar Kapanadze denied the appeal and reinforced October 30th 2009 Tbilisi Civil Court’s decision. Keti Bekauri petitions to the court to nullify the decision of the Bureau for Criminalist Expertise of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the decision of Gogia, Independent Criminalist Expert. Keti Beqauri explains:

“In compliance with the rights granted to me as to the lawyer I attempted to revise the decision. I applied to the Bureau for Independent Criminalist Expertise in order to get written opinion on the chemical expertise put by the Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The high professionalism and impartiality of the Bureau I referred to cannot be put under suspicion. The bureau concluded that gunpowder was not detected and moreover, chemical expertise on Tsotne Gamsakhudria was not carried out in compliance with the law. The fact that the expert who carried out the expertise does not have high education in Chemistry and is a Jurist deserves mentioning. The Independent Expert concluded that instead 9 tests only 4 were done and it puts the conclusion under suspicion. According to the Investigation, Tsotne Gamsakhurdia had a gun in his right hand when firing Bajelidze. The only testimony evidence to prove it has been given by the neighbor Raisa Saidova. She proved to be the only eyewitness. As known, she is influenced by personal motives towards Gamsakhurdia’s family. If her proof is sufficient a bigger amount of gunpowder should have been detected on Gamsakhurdia right hand. Contrary to that, expertise concluded that the same small amount of gunpowder was detected on the both hands of the detainee. Thus, I request to interrogate the expert.”

Beqauri requests to put the expertise conclusion under suspicion and to ensure that the chemical evidence is considered invalid. The attorney petitions to the court for interrogating the wounded Davit Bajelidze. As the attorney states, Bajelidze undergoes medical treatment at home for 4 days and has not been interrogated until now. “The victim has not been questioned until now. Though, the Investigators have obtained the interrogation record of his doctor. As the doctor states Bajelidze was hospitalized on October 27 and before surgery he remained absolutely conscious. When asked about the accident circumstances, he replied he knew nothing. Bajelidze does not accuse Gamsakhurdia. Police interrogated his brother, who said that they have been friends and denied his brother’s involvement in any kind of conflict. Thus, Gamsakhurdia’s arrest is unlawful. I believe there is someone who just needs him to keep behind bars.”

- Ms. Keti, could you explain who the one is – who needs him to keep imprisoned? The fact is that Bajelidze has been wounded and hospitalized and Gamsakhurdia was hospitalized shortly afterwards. You mean it is nothing but a pure coincidence?

I can’t definitely say. The facts suspiciously coincided. I think that’s a provocation. There is someone who urgently needed to isolate Gamsakhurdia, and made huge juridical mistakes on his way. When the samples were taken for testing, Gamsakhurdia had not been accused; moreover, he had not been questioned even as an eyewitness. The samples were taken at 7.30 pm and Gamsakhurdia was interrogated at 10.30 pm as a witness. Only this fact makes all the proofs invalid. As the expert defines, NO² trace cannot be considered sufficient evidence as this chemical is widely spread and can be detected on any shirt after having it on for an hour. If you touch a roast pork the chemical will surely be detected on your hands. However, no matter chemicals have been detected or not: the investigation can’t prove the reason why Gamsakhurdia should have fired his friend. The accusation record generally assumes that conflict occurred between them. I request to immediately interrogate Bajelidze.

- Gamsakhurdia was charged of espionage for Russia and of wounding a young man, he has been released on bail. Obviously he will be charged with all these crimes and he will be sentenced to many years of imprisonment.

Gamsakhurdia would be charged on a criminal offense for now. He was charged as a political prisoner before. Since then he remained at Kolkhian Tower, he almost didn’t leave the area. As a law-abiding citizen he patiently waited for the Court Assembly’s decision. While he was on his way home, unidentified suspect approached Gamsakhurdia from behind, attacked him with a solid object, causing Gamsakhurdia head injury. The attack caused a closed brain damage, under skin wounds, traumatic brain injury. As a result Gamsakhurdia lost consciousness and was hospitalized. He should be freed from the absurd charges of intended murder and illegal purchasing/keeping, carrying firearms. If decided otherwise he will be charged of a “bouquet” of crimes – it will be remembered is son of Zviad Gamsakhurdia. I do not really know who is going to take advantage of all these, who is going to take revenge on Tsotne, while he abides law. Police are perfectly aware that Gamsakhurdia is a law-abiding person, the 3 Police Department is located nearby and they know about his activity in details. His condition is worsened. He remains under medical supervision, though the police refuses to hospitalize him. Tsotne Gamsakhurdia claims his innocence and protests his unlawful imprisonment with hunger strike. His has high blood pressure.

Exclusive Interview with Tsotne Gamsakhurdia:

- You plead not guilty. You are innocent. Though what is the reason you have been arrested? Could you evaluate the fact of your arrest?

It’s obvious someone seems unhappy with my freedom – the authorities are, I suppose.

- Did you have any conflict with Bajelidze before?

We are close friends and neighbors. Our families know each other and we have never had any conflict.

- You had a brain injury and you were hospitalized the same day your friend was fired. Please, tell us the details.

The details are already known to everyone. I don’t think there is any need explain things again. Though… I was on my way home, unidentified suspect approached me from behind, attacked me with a solid object, I lost consciousness. I have 5 stitches on my head. I have described the entire accident in details while being interrogated. I saw a person aged 40 who approached and hit me. I have enough enemies, you know.

- You strongly deny your involvement in this crime, though evidence testimony given by your neighbor exists.

As for that woman, she is our neighbor, my mother made a statement about her. She was born in 1928, she lives alone. She has robbed Kolkhian Tower many times. She has stolen household items, neighbors can prove it. She is influenced with personal motives.

- As investigation concluded the gunpowder has been detected on your hands. In case you are innocent where did the gunpowder come from?

My lawyer can give you a full answer about it. When my defense lawyer familiarized me with the documents of my case, I saw there the photos of my coat. The gunpowder was detected on it. The coat was not on me for several months, was not on me that day. It does not fit my size any more. I believe the coat has been taken by the police the day they conducted a search in my house.

- Do you have alibi?

My truth is my alibi.

- You announced hunger strike since the first day of your arrest. What, in particular, do you demand?

I demand unbiased and objective investigation of the charges placed against me.

On October 27, 2009 David Badjelidze was shot by the firearm, receiving an abdominal wound. On the same night he was taken to Tbilisi Republican Hospital and was operated on, where he remains even to this day. After the Police questioning Tsotne Gamsakhurdia was taken to the same hospital and was operated on his head wound. From the Tbilisi Republican Hospital Gamsakhurdia was transferred to pre- apprehension center.

On October 30th 2009, according to Tbilisi civil Court ordered Tsotne Gamsakhurdia was placed under 2 month pre-trial confinement for the purchase, possession and bearing of arms and an attempt for the premeditated murder. According to Gamsakhurdia’s attorney Mrs. Kate Bekauri’s statement accusations are groundless, because there aren’t any eyewitnesses to David Badjelidze’s shooting and over all there aren’t any witnesses who would attest to Tsotne Gamsakhurdia’s possession of the firearms. In fact, the weapon has not been recovered from the place of the incident.

Tbilisi Civil Court judge’s order about Tsotne Gamsakhurdias arrest was petitioned on the same day in the Tbilisi’s Investigative Colligate Court of Appeals, which is responsible to evaluate the appeal within 72 hours of it’s reception. Defendant requests, to repeal the Tbilisi Civil Court order for Gamsakhurdia’s arrest as indemonstrable and unlawful and demands Tsotne Gamsakhurdias release from the prison.

Tsotne Gamsakhurdia does not plead guilty. Once more he has become the victim of the current Government’s dirty provocation, which entails his recent physical attack. To defend his innocence on October 29, 2009 Tsotne Gamsakhurdia declared dry hunger strike. In Tbilisi’s prison #8 he is under the medical supervision.

David Badgelidze’s health is stabile after the surgery; his life is not in danger. He was transferred from Tbilisi Republican Hospital’s intensive care unite to the rehabilitation center.

15.09.2008

The Georgian government pressure on Mr. Tsotne Gamsakhurdia continues.
His indefinitely declared hunger strike protest on September 4th 2008 still continues.

On September 13th 2008 Mr. Tsotne Gamsakhurdia, the detainee of the # 8 Tbilisi Prison declared most drastic form of the protest the Dry Hunger Strike(!).
On September 14th 2008, in the # 8 Tbilisi prison, for 3 hours members of the Georgian Government demanded from Mr. Gamsakhurdia to admittance of the partial guilt.
Mr Gamsakhurdia refused to plead guilty and demanded public hearing.

Starting from September 13, 2008 Mr. Tsotne Gamsakhurdia continues Dry Hunger Strike as a protest against his unlawful apprehension.

11.09.2008

On September 4, 2008 Mr. Trotne Gamsakhurdia has declared hunger strike to protest his arrest. He demands unbiased, objective and public investigation of the charges placed against him. Mr. Gamsakhurdia does not plead guilty. He is protesting the groundless and absurd charges against him and his unlawful arrest.

RELEASE TO THE POLITICAL PRISONER – TSOTNE GAMSAKHURDIA

1. Tsotne Gamsakhurdia was detained at Tbilisi airport on September 3, 2008 by Criminal Police Ministry of Internal Affairs. He was detained at 19, 45 p.m and taken to pre-detention isolator in the building of so called „Moduli“.

2. Tsotne Gamsakhurdia’s arrest was ordered by Tbilisi Municipal Criminal Board Investigator – Khujadze on November 11, 2007. This fact was preceded by pre-trial investigation held in the Department of Counter-Espionage on November 8, 2007 with charge of espionage and conspiracy – of the most serious crime.

3. Tsotne Gamsakhurdia was charged according to the first part of the article 314 of Criminal Code of Georgia and the first part of the article 315 (espionage and conspiracy). Tsotne Gamsakhurdia denied the charge and on September 5 he was additionally charged with a new accusation according to the first part of the article 117 of Criminal Code of Georgia (deliberate body damage) concerning Avtandil Maghlakelidze’s wounding. This crime is of less serious category.

4. On September 5, 2008 Tsotne Gamsakhurdia was charged according to article 117 of Criminal Code of Georgia with violation of peremptory requirements of article 283, as far as according to the law the wanted should be charged within the limits of 24 hours. In Tsotne Gamsakhurdia’s case the time slipped out and the charge was brought only after 43 hours on September 5 at 14, 55 p.m.

5. On September 5, the board of Tbilisi Municipal Criminal Court under the chairmanship of the judge Areshidze left in force the two-month preventive punishment to Tsotne Gamsakhurdia on November 11, 2007 and April 15, 1999 Tsotne Gamsakhurdia was taken to the isolator ward # 8.

6. The Court of Tbilisi Municipal Criminal Board on September 5, 2008 during the discussion of preventive punishment issue violated the article 16 of Criminal Code of Georgia implying publicity of trial. The trial was closed and without video and audio records.

7. On September 7, 2008, the barristers appealed against the resolution of Tsotne Gamsakhurdia’s arrest in the Court of Appeal. The Investigation Board of the Court of Appeal on September 8, 2008 without any grounds did not accept the appeal and left in force the first instance resolution of Gamsakhurdia’s arrest. The Court of Appeal could not answer any arguments of the defense side. The above mentioned resolution is not due to be appealed.

Tbilisi / Georgia

In Hanover Germany, on September 13th 2008 Dual German-Georgian Citizen Mr. Shalva Tsiklauri, member of the Georgian Helsinki Group and the member of the International Human Rights Organization began a hunger strike with the demand of Mr. Tsotne Gamsakhurdias immediate release from prison.

The Western Governments, the governmental and the nongovernmental Human Rrights Organizations possess the information about Mr. Shalva Tsiklauri’s declared Hunger Strike. The hunger striker is under continual Medical Observation.

Mr. Shalva Tsiklauri appeals to his fellow countryman to join in the hunger strike in order to attain Mr. Tsotne Gamsakhurdias immediate release from illegal imprisonment.
I, Shalva Tsiklauri haven known Mr.Tsotne Gamsahurdia since 2 years of age. Mr. Tsotne gamsahurdia has spent his entire childhood in fear and persecution because of his father’s Mr. Zviad Gamsakhurdia’s, the leader of the National Independence movement, continual political oppression.After the overthrow of the only Legitimately elected Georgian Government (1991-92) Mr. Tsotne Gamsakhurdia because of the persecution of his entire family became an emigrant.

Gamsakhurdias Imprisonment by the existing De facto Georgian Government is illegal therefore I demand once and for all to end Mr. Tsotne Gamsakhurdias political oppression, to suspend absurd accusations brought against him, end let him to live freely in his county.

Shalva Tsiklauri

13.09.2008

15.09.2008

Die Repressalien des Zotne Gamsachurdia durch die georgische Regierung wird fortgesetzt.
Er hat den Hungerstreik, den er am 4.09.2008 begann, noch nicht beendet.

Am 13.09.1008 hat Z. Gamsachurdia in der Haftanstalt Nr. 8 Tbilisi/Georgien mit der stärksten Form des Streiks, nämlich mit dem trockenen Hungerstreik(!) begonnen.
Die Vertreter der georgischen Regierung haben Z. Gamsachurdia am 14.09.2008 drei stundenlang verhört, um eine Zusage für das Teilgeständnis von Z. Gamsachurdia zu bekommen. Z. Gasmachurdia hat dieser Forderung nicht zugestimmt. Er fordert die Durchführung des Gerichtsprozesses unter Wahrung des Öffentlichkeitsgrundsatzes.

Aus Protest gegen rechtswidrige Festnahme führt Z. Gamsachuria den am 13.09.2008 begonnenen trockenen Hungerstreik fort.

12.09.2008

Der Sohn des Gründers der Georgischen Unabhängigkeitsbewegung und ersten Präsidenten der Republik Georgien Swiad Gamsachurdia, Tsotne Gamsachurdia wurde am 3. September 2008 wurde durch die georgischen Behörden auf dem Flughafen von Tbilisi/Georgien festgenommen. Ihm wurde die Organisierung des staatlichen Umsturzes im November 2007 und die Mitarbeit mit russischen Sicherheitsbehörden bzw. Spionage vorgeworfen.

Zotne Gamsachurdia hat am 4. September 2008 aus Protest einen unbefristeten Hungerstreik begonnen. Er fordert die objektive Durchführung des Gerichtsprozesses unter der Wahrung des Öffentlichkeitsprinzips. Zotne Gamsachurdia bekennt sich als nicht schuldig. Er protestiert weiterhin gegen die grundlosen Beschuldigungen und rechtswidrige Festnahme. Laut Zotne Gamsachurdia wurde ihm vom Zeitpunkt seiner Festnahme an, eine Prozessabsprache vorgeschlagen, wonach ihm als Gegenleistung zu seinem Teilschuldbekenntnis, eine Freilassung versprochen wurde. Er hat dieser Absprache nicht zugestimmt, da sie seine Menschenwürde verletzt.

Information über die Verhaftung von Zotne Gamsachurdia

Z. Gamsachurdia wurde am 11. November 2007 ohne seine Anwesenheit angeklagt. Der Anklage liegen § 314 Abs. 1 und § 315 Abs. 1 StGB(G) zugrunde. Am 11. November 2007 wurde daraufhin Haftbefehl von Richterin Nato Chudschadze erlassen. Bis dato, am 08. November 2007 wurden Vorermittlungen durch die Ermittlungsabteilung des Innenministeriums von Georgien gegen Z. Gamsachurdia wegen Verschwörung und Rebellion eingeleitet (Staatsanwalt Lado Datashvili). Über die Ermittlungen wurde die Familie des Inhaftierten durch die Ermittlungsorgane nicht informiert. Aktenstudien besagen, dass die Ermittlungsbehörde keinerlei Haftbefehl gegen Z. Gamsachurdia erlassen hatte und über die entstandene Situation die Öffentlichkeit nicht informiert wurde. Dazu muss angemerkt werde, dass das Aufenthaltsort von Z. Gamsachurdia für die Ermittlungsorgane sehr wohl bekannt war. Der Haftbefehl war daher eine reine Formalität. Die Taten, die Z. Gamsachurdia zur Last gelegt werden, werden als Verbrechen und schweres Verbrechen qualifiziert.

Am 4. September 2008 wurde Z. Gamsachurdia wegen Spionage und Verschwörung gemäss § 314 Abs. 1 und § 315 Abs. 1 StGB(G) beschuldigt. Z. Gamsachurdia bekennt sich als nicht schuldig. Laut der Anklageschrift wird Z. Gamsachurdia beschuldigt in Georgien, nämlich in Tiflis sich an den Ereignissen der Tagen zwischen 2. und 7. November 2007 und damit an der Verschwörung zum Umsturz der Regierung Georgiens beteiligt zu haben. Ihm wird zu last gelegt, am 28. September 2008 die Demonstration auf Rustaveli-Allee in Tiflis organisiert zu haben. Diesen Behauptungen ist jegliche Wahrheit entzogen, denn Z. Gamsachurdia sich an den ob. besagten Tagen in Moskau /Russland/ befand. Z. Gamsachurdia hat am 19. Oktober 2007 Georgien verlassen. Er kehrte erst am 3. September 2008 zurück nach Tiflis, woraufhin er vor Ort verhaftet wurde. Bereits vor diesem Ereignis berichtete Z. Gamsachurdia in „Georgian Times“ Nr. 035 (28. August – 4. September) folgendes: „In kürzester Zeit habe ich vor, nach Tiflis zurückzukehren. Ich weiß, was mich dort erwartet. Jedoch denke ich, dass ich in dieser Zeit in Georgien, in meiner Heimat sein sollte“. Z. Gamsachurdia kehrte freiwillig nach Georgien zurück und wurde ohne Vorlage des Haftbefehls festgenommen. Eine derartige Festnahme verletzt die Strafprozessordnung Georgiens.
Zusätzlich wurde Z. Gamsachurdia am 5. September 2008 wegen vorsätzlichen schweren Körperverletzung gem. § 117 Abs. 1 StGB(G) angeklagt. Danach sollte er Awtandil Maglakelidze am 12. April 1999 schwer verletzt haben. Awtandil Maglakelidze verbüst bekanntlich wegen Drogendelikte seine Haftstrafe.

Am 4. September 2008 wurde der Wortlaut der Anklageschrift an Z. Gamsachurdia bezüglich § 117 Abs. 1 StGB(G) unter Verletzung des § 283 StGB(G) bekanntgegeben. Denn nach dem Gesetz soll dem Angeschuldigten nach seiner Festnahme innerhalb 24 Stunden die Anklageschrift vorgelegt werden. Z. Gamsachurdia wurde die Anklageschrift erst nach 43 Stunden, am 5. September, um 14:55 Uhr vorgelegt. In diesem Fall müsste die festgehaltene Person aus der Haft entlassen werden, was bei Z. Gamsachurdia nicht der Fall war.

Am 5. September 2008 wurde über die Inhaftierung des Z. Gamsachurdia im Strafgericht von Tiflis getagt. Hierbei wurde das, in § 16 StPO(G) normierte Öffentlichkeitsprinzip verletzt. Die Sitzung erfolgte unter Ausschuss der Öffentlichkeit, in einer geschlossenen Form. Die Sitzung wurde in keinerlei weise technisch festgehalten, sprich weder Audio-, noch Videoaufnahmen wurden zugelassen. Hinzukommt, dass den Familienmitgliedern und den Verwandten das Besuchsrecht abgesprochen wurde.

Z. Gamsachurdia hat am 4. September 2008 aus Protest einen unbefristeten Hungerstreik begonnen. Er fordert die objektive Durchführung des Gerichtsprozesses unter der Wahrung des Öffentlichkeitsprinzips. Z. Gamsachurdia bekennt sich als nicht schuldig. Er protestiert weiterhin gegen die grundlosen Beschuldigungen und rechtswidrige Festnahme. Laut Z. Gamsachurdia wurde ihm vom Zeitpunkt seiner Festnahme an, eine Prozessabsprache vorgeschlagen, wonach ihm als Gegenleistung zu seinem Teilschuldbekenntnis, eine Freilassung versprochen wurde. Er hat dieser Absprache nicht zugestimmt, da sie seine Menschenwürde verletzen würde.

Z. Gamsachurdia wurde in Haftanstalt Nr. 8 von den Geistlichen und von den Vertretern der georgischen Bürgerschutzorganisation besucht.

Am 12. September 2008 wurde Z. Gamsachurdia in Haftanstalt Nr. 8 von seiner Rechtsanwältin Ketewan Bekauri besucht. K. Bekauri machte bekannt, dass Z. Gamsachurdia weiterhin den Hungerstreik fortführt, was zu starken gesundheitlichen Problemen des Inhaftierten führen könne. Laut K. Bekauri sei der Hungerstreik für Z. Gamsachurdia lebensgefährlich.

Tbilisi / Georgien

1 Strafgesetzbuch Georgiens
2 Strafprozessordnung Georgiens

Am 13. September 2008 begann Herr Schalva Tsiklauri, in Hannover/Deutschland einen Hungerstreik mit der Forderung der dringenden Freilassung von Zotne Gamsachurdia. Er ist Mietglied der Georgischen Helsinki-Union und der Internationalen Gesellschaft für Menschenrechte; er besitzt die georgische und deutsche Staatsbürgerschaft.

Über seinen Hungerstreik sind die Regierungen der West- Europäischen Staaten, staatliche und nicht staatliche Menschenrechtsorganisationen informiert worden.Der Hungerstreikende befindet sich unter ständiger medizinischer Kontrolle. Herr Schalva Tsiklauri ruft alle im Exil Lebenden auf, sich seiner Aktion anzuschließen, um
die dringend die umgehende Freilassung von Zotne Gamsachurdia aus gesetzwidriger Haft zu erreichen.

„Ich kenne Zotne Gamsachurdia seit er 2 Jahre alt war. Er verbrachte seine Kindheit unter ständiger Angst und Verfolgung, weil sein Vater, Swiad Gamsakhurdia, der Leiter der Georgischen Unabhängigkeitsbewegung, unter permanentem politischen Druck stand. Nach dem Putsch und Sturz (1991-92) der einzigen legitimen Regierung Georgiens war Zotne Gamsachurdia selbst zum Flüchtling, zum Verfolgten des neuen Regimes seiner Heimat geworden. Die Verhaftung von Zotne Gamsachurdia durch die jetzige georgische Regierung ist lediglich eine Fortsetzung der politischen Verfolgung der Familie Gamsachurdia, die noch zur Sowjet-Zeit begonnen hatte.

Ich fordere, die politische Verfolgung von Zotne Gamsachurdia endgültig zu beenden, die ihm vorgeworfenen absurden Beschuldigungen aufzuheben, ihn unverzüglich freizulassen und sein Recht, in der Heimat frei zu leben, zu gewährleisten.

Ich rufe die Regierungen der westlichen Staaten sowie den Menschenrechtskommissar des Europarats und die Abgeordneten des Europäischen Parlaments auf, sich für die Freilassung von Zotne Gamsachirdia und für die Beendigung der Menschenrechtsverletzungen in Georgien einzusetzen.

Shalva Tsiklauri
13.09.2008