On March 13, 2012, in the process of obtaining a statement from citizens in Chokhatauri, officials of Chamber of Control of Georgia acted illegally against GYLA’s lawyer. It is noteworthy that possibly motivated by security concerns, representatives of GYLA as well as persons to be interrogated were searched by an unduly strict method of control. All three lawyers were required to take their clothes and shoes off, which was carried out in a clearly abusive manner.

Gia Kartsivadze, a lawyer of GYLA, was prevented from realizing his power. Gaga Chankseliani, a Chamber of Control official, did not allow him to record questions that were asked and tried to provoke the lawyer. During the operation, lawyer of GYLA was representing one of the individuals to be questioned. According to the information provided by the lawyer, the questions were formulated as follows:

1. Has your coalition signed a service agreement with GYLA?

2. Do you pay GYLA for its services?

3. Do you need a lawyer very much?

4. Would you like reconsider your need to have a lawyer?

5. How many newspapers are arriving? When? How do you distribute them?

6. Do you get paid for the distribution?

7. Have you made a donation?

8. What is your total family income?

9. How should the change of government occur?

10. Where do you meet? Who does the building where you meet belong to?

11. Where there any promises made in return for collection of signatures?

12. Who are the persons who are holding the same views as you in the municipality (give individual names and surnames)? etc.

We believe that the Chamber of Control official, Gaga Chankseliani was exerting a pressure against lawyer of GYLA Gia Kartsivadze. Due to the incident that occurred, the lawyer was forced to leave the administrative proceedings.

We call on the law enforcement to thoroughly examine and investigate the illegal action perpetrated by the Chamber of Control official against a lawyer of GYLA, Gia Kartsivadze in the process of questioning individuals at Chokhatauri municipality.