Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association was providing legal assistance to a citizen, Eka Matiashvili who was assaulted by an officer of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, Otar Gvenetadze on January 3, 2011, during the crackdown of veterans’ rally. With GYLA’s assistance Eka Matiashvili filed a claim in Tbilisi City Court for pecuniary damages. The lawsuit was filed against the Ministry of Interior Affairs and personally Otar Gvenetadze. The plaintiff claimed GEL 10 000 for pecuniary damages.

During the trial held on April 27, 2011, the Ministry of Interior Affairs as well as Otar Gvenetadze himself confirmed that moral damage was inflicted to Eka Matiashvili and offered an agreement to resolve the dispute. Eventually, the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Otar Gvenetadze undertook an obligation to pay GEL 4000 (four thousand) each to Eka Matiashvili for pecuniary damages – total of GEL 8 000.

We welcome the fact that the Ministry of Interior Affairs, as well as Otar Gvenetadze admitted the fact of inflicting moral damage to E. Matiashvili and expressed their willingness to compensate the damage; although, we’d like to underline that other violations of different gravities were evident in actions of Otar Gvenetadze and three other law enforcement officers on January 3, 2011. We call on the Ministry of Interior Affairs to ensure that these persons are held accountable for their actions.