GYLA files a claim with the Prosecutor’s Office regarding the case of May 17 victim

On May 17, 2018, Nika Gorgiladze was attacked while he was making a speech at the rally dedicated to the International Day against Homophobia at the Chancellery of the Government of Georgia [1]. As of today, the investigation has already begun on the fact and is under the procedural supervision of the Tbilisi Prosecutor's Office.

Given the fact that Nika Gorgiladze was not recognized as a victim by the Prosecutor’s Office at its own initiative, GYLA appealed to the Tbilisi Prosecutor's Office on June 22, 2018 and requested granting the status of victim to Nika Gorgiladze, but we have not received a response yet including any resolution on refusing to the status of the victim. On June 26, 2018 we again appealed to the Tbilisi Prosecutor's Office in order to obtain the resolution on granting or refusing to the victim’s status, but we have not received any response yet.

It is important that the state should protect all citizens and ensure their safety, regardless of their sexual orientation, different opinions or other signs. Hereby we would like to explain that according to the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia, the victim is a person who has the most objective interest towards the consequences of case proceedings. Consequently, Nika Gorgiladze should be properly involved in both investigation and judicial processes.

We believe that Nika Gorgiladze’s legal interests have been breached due to the inactivity of the Prosecutor's Office. In particular, he is not allowed to have an access to the information on the case materials and ongoing or already conducted investigative activities. In addition, the qualification of the crime is unknown. Consequently, we addressed to the Chief Prosecutor's Office of Georgia to grant Nika Gorgiladze the status of the victim and conduct the investigation with the relevant crime qualification.

[1] http://liberali.ge/news/view/36792/video-antihomofobiur-aqtsiaze-sityvit-gamomsvlels-tavs-daeskhnen