GYLA DEMENDS CONFERRING THE STATUS OF VICTIM ON LASHA KATSIA

Today Georgian Young Lawyers`Association (GYLA) submitted a complaint in the Prosecutor’s Office of Tbilisi on behalf of Lasha Katsia to confer the status of victim on him. Submission of the complaint became necessary after the denial of victim status to Lasha Katsia by the case supervisor prosecutor. Without the status of victim Lasha Katsia loses the possibility to get to know the case materials and to be informed about the progress made in the investigation of violence committed against him. Also, he cannot benefit from the rights given to the victim by the procedural law and has only the status of witness in the case.

As it is known to the public, on the 9^th of March 2018, in the city of Tbilisi, Lasha Katsia was arrested at the entrance of his own flat during the nighttime. The police forcefully put him in the car and insulted him verbally as well as physically. After the mentioned fact Lasha was hurt physically and experienced moral torment.

The investigation concerning the above mentioned began on 9^th of March 2018. During this time numerous investigative acts have been conducted, among those several interrogations of Lasha Katsia, also the identifying procedure was held and Lasha identified the offender policemen. In spite of this, up to this day the policemen have not been accused according to the criminal law and Lasha Katsia is still not acknowledged as a victim.

GYLA calls upon the Prosecutor’s Office of Tbilisi to satisfy the complaint submitted by Lasha Katsia and acknowledge him as a victim.