The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association responds to the statement of the Ministry of Interior Affairs about Kvintradze case.

First of all, GYLA would like to underline that the released information is based on the findings of an independent forensic analysis bureau, which explicitly indicates that images on photo and video materials submitted by GYLA belong to one and the same person. Therefore, MIA’s allegation that GYLA has intentionally distorted facts is groundless.

We believe that for the purposes of conducting thorough, objective and effective investigation into the case, MIA should have first and foremost examined evidence obtained by GYLA. Instead, MIA made statements without examining findings of the forensic image analysis, a priori ruling out credibility of the evidence and declared that GYLA distorted facts.

In its statement MIA maintains that a person in the photograph is Giorgi Bakradze who currently live sin Kareli. MIA also released a recording of Giorgi Bakradze’s interview concerning the fact; however, the Ministry’s comments do not indicate that the investigation conducted forensic photo analysis of for identifying the person. The Ministry’s statement makes it clear that the efforts of investigation was limited to Giorgi Bakradze’s statement and his visual comparison with photos and declared the criminal case closed. GYLA would like to note once more that when a case involves deprivation of life and there is a doubt that representatives of a state agency were involved in deprivation of life and there is a high public interest in the case, in order to secure credibility of investigation it is necessary to properly examine all kinds of evidence in the case. Only then the investigation can be deemed as comprehensive, objective and effective.

It should also be noted that the fact that Giorgi Bakradze was wearing a striped shirt on May 26 does not rule out that Nika Kvintradze may have worn the same shirt when he was detained. Moreover, according to Revaz Rekhviashvili, a friend of N. Kvintradze, he first identified Nika Kvintradze in the phograph according to the very same shirt and that Kvintradze had been often wearing the shirt during protest rallies held outside the television building. It should be noted once more that in the findings published by GYLA, identification of Nika Kvintradze is based on comparison of facial and head features, making manipulation with the clothes rather feeble.

GYLA declares its readiness to submit Giorgi Bakradze’s photos to the bureau of forensic analysis and obtain substantiated decision on the noted issue.

Based on the aforementioned, GYLA believes that it is necessary to renew investigation into Nika Kvintradze’s case and properly examine and evaluate all facts and evidence. Furthermore, due to high public interest in the case, the investigation is obligated to publicize evidence in the case, such as photo/video material of dead bodies found on the scene, forensic analysis of electric circuit on the scene and findings of post-mortem forensic analysis.

GYLA remains hopeful that the authorities will carry out comprehensive, objective and effective investigation into Nika Kvintradze’s case, which will respond to all questions that public may have.