GYLA believes that the case investigating the torture act against Irakli Khoperia is being dragged on groundlessly. As known to the public, on the 16th of February 2017, Irakli Koperia was taken to the police office without a reason, where he was tortured. Irakli Khoperia reported that the police officers were requesting from him to confess the crime he was not guilty for; they threatened him by planting drugs and concurrently they insulted him physically. Afterwards it became clear that Irakli Khoperia was arrested by mistake, instead of another person and he has been freed. The medical examination conducted after his release concluded that Irakli Khoperia had “Head injury, [...] superficial chest injury with soft tissue contusions. Externally, bruises on the body were noticeable. The injuries were inflicted several times by the usage of some solid, blunt tool.
GYLA has repeatedly called upon the corresponding bodies to conduct all investigative steps on time and hold the culpable policemen accountable, although, the events taking place around this case since February 2017 up until now makes us think that the investigation is being carried out inefficiently and with considerable delays. [1].
Due to the facts of obvious partiality demonstrated by the Prosecutor’s Office of Tbilisi and not taking into account the apparent, satisfactory evidence, GYLA has requested transferring the case to the Investigation Department of Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia. The request mentioned was satisfied in December 2017, although, still no effective steps were made for investigating the case. In spite of the fact that the victim identified the violent policemen, up to today the Prosecutor’s Office has not arraigned the accountable person/people.
GYLA calls upon the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to investigate the case of Irakli Khoperia’s torture promptly. Also, GYLA explains once again that when it comes to the fact of supposed torture or ill-treatment on the policemen’s part, the state has increased responsibility to show special effort in the process of investigation, so that not to arise questions concerning the objective, impartial and effective management of the legal proceeding.
[1].See the announcements made on I.Khoperia’s case by GYLA:
a. https://gyla.ge/ge/post/sasamartlom-irakli-khoferia-dazaralebulad-cno#sthash.D81sg7Ik.dpbs;
