Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case
Encyclopedia
The Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case is one of the most notorious criminal cases in the modern history of Georgia
. The killing, and the events as a result of it, have generated heavy criticism of the current government, particularly the interior minister, and the extent to which reformist President
Mikheil Saakashvili
has truly introduced judicial independence
and a democratic
culture into society.
with multiple injuries inflicted as a result of physical abuse. According to an Imedi
Television investigation on February 12, the murder of the 28 year-old head of the United Georgian Bank's Foreign Department, can be traced to a series of events which developed in Tbilisi’s elite Sharden Bar. It is alleged that the Inspector General of Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vasil Sanodze was holding his birthday party to which the highest members of the department were invited. Tako Salakaia, the wife of current Interior Minister, Vano Merabishvili
, was in attendance, and by chance happened to be a friend of Girgvliani's girlfriend, Tamar Maisuradze. Maisuradze's presence is reportedly the reason for the subsequent victim's fatal visit.
Levan Bukhaidze, Girgvliani’s friend, who had accompanied his friend to the bar, claims that a few minutes before the kidnapping took place, the victim had an argument with his girlfriend, who was sitting with the Interior Minister’s wife and her companions at the birthday party. In court Maisuradze recalled her dialogue with Girgvliani in the bar, claiming that "He asked why I was sitting with strangers. To this question I answered: that it did not matter who I was with and I asked whether he had come to find out only this. I did not know these people, but they were acquaintances of the girl I had come with. Then he asked why I was sitting with that ‘faggot’ – referring to [Guram] Donadze (head of the Ministry Press Centre)."
Whilst Bukhaidze has denied this comment was made, it is clear that Sandro Girgvliani and his friend left the scene, and were reportedly stuffed into a silver Mercedes-Benz ML Class vehicle by unknown men shortly afterwards. They were then taken to Okrokana, on the outskirts of Tbilisi. Girgvliani’s friend claims that whilst he was able to escape, Girgvliani was murdered. His body was found close to a nearby cemetery the next morning.
(MP) Koba Davitashvili
, leader of the Georgian Conservative Party and MP Koka Guntsadze of the Rightist Opposition
opposition party, demanded that the authorities immediately investigate the case. They also alleged that Oleg Melnikov, an employee of the Interior Ministry, was among those persons who kidnapped Girgvliani and his friend.
Guram Donadze, told InterPressNews agency on February 21 that he and other officials had already been interrogated. "I will not make further comments while the investigation is on-going", Donadze said, but denied the allegations as 'groundless'. The Minister Vano Merabishvili
meanwhile made his first public statement about the case on February 25 and hinted that he was not yet going to sack any of these officials.
On the 28th, MP for the Conservative Party Zviad Dzidziguri convened a press conference and showed an interview with Girgvliani's friend Bukhaidze – an eyewitness. The interview was conducted by MP Dzidziguri himself and, during the footage, Dzidziguri shows Bukhaidze a picture of a young man and asks Bukhaidze to identify this man. Bukhaidze replies that the man in the picture 'looks very much like' one of the four people who beat the two friends after they were abducted. The man in the picture was an Interior Ministry staff-member, Oleg Melnikov. Bukhaidze said he was "not 100% sure, but I can say that he looks very much like [the man]" Dzidziguri stressed that "The most important thing with this fact is that the investigators have not shown this picture to Levan Bukhaidze – which further increases doubts about the investigation process".
During parliamentary hearings on February 28, Merabishvili said that the investigation has not yet revealed any facts which could cause the dismissal of those officials who were mentioned in the Imedi report. He also said that allegations to link officials to the case are "attempts to discredit the police.... There are attempts to link this [case] to my family members as well. This is done deliberately to get on my nerves."
Whilst the Minister was in the midst of a speech at the hearing, opposition parliamentarians from the Rightist Opposition, Republican, Conservative and Democratic Front factions walked out of the chamber to protest against Merabishvili, and the possibly partisan
investigation.
Parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party, however thanked the Merabishvili for the performance of his department, with MP Givi Targamadze
saying that "The opposition’s walk-out was just a stage show. They are speculating over the Girgvliani murder case and they are trying to use it for their own political interests, which is absolutely inadmissible".
After the hearings, the opposition parliamentarians called for Merabishvili’s resignation. Davit Gamkrelidze claimed that "It has become clear today that Merabishvili is trying to cover-up criminals sitting in the Interior Ministry. We, the opposition, society, should launch activities directed towards [ensuring the] dismissal of Merabishvili,"
The Ministry’s press office distributed a video of the operation to the national television networks showing the body of Telia lying on the floor of his apartment holding a pistol in his right hand. However in an interview with Imedi television, relatives of Telia claim that he would not hold a gun in his right hand as he was left-handed. Additionally they claimed that Telia had alleged that certain officials from the Ministry wanted 'to get rid of him' because of information he possessed about their possible involvement in drug trafficking. In a 2005 interview the former police officer claimed the police had unsuccessfully tried to arrest him under fabricated charges. He was then attacked and injured by a gunshot. In the interview Telia did not name the officials from the Interior Ministry who were apparently interested in his elimination, but speculated that Irakli Kodua, Chief of the Interior Ministry’s Special Operations Department (SOD), 'was ordered' to organize his assassination.
At the same time several opposition groupings, including the Rightist Opposition and Georgian Labour Party
, announced their intention to launch street protests against the government in an attempt to force Vano Merabishvili
to resign.
Shortly after the arrests were announced MPs from the New Rights and Democratic Front
parliamentary faction's convened a news conference. They said that the arrest of the Interior officials was "a good precedent
". However Koba Davitashvili
of the Democratic Front added that "the major part of the investigation is still ahead. Not only should those who committed the crime be held responsible, but also those who ordered it." The parliamentarians again called for Merabishvili’s resignation.
, responded by announcing their 'clear-cut support' towards Merabishvili and branded the opposition as 'closely incorporated into the criminal world'.
At this point the influential former Foreign Minister
and leader of the Georgia's Way
political party, Salome Zourabichvili
, announced her intention to work with the opposition parties regarding Girgvliani's murder. Speaking to Civil Georgia
she said "... spare no efforts over this issue – be it street rallies, media statements, etc. Because, if a syndrome of fear appears, if the guilty are not punished... if there is no court, then we move towards a totalitarian regime."
Despite Bukhaidze’s failure to identify Oleg Melnikov, a statement made by Girgvliani's girlfriend, Tamar Maisuradze, hinted at Melnikov's possible involvement. She claimed that Melnikov left the café, under the pretext to buy a cigarette
, immediately after Bukhaidze and Girgvliani went out. He allegedly returned only after around 40 minutes, with Maisuradze going on to say that this was explained by the fact that he had travelled to a distant supermarket after being unable to buy the cigarettes he wanted at a nearby shop. "I have watched security video of that very same supermarket but I have not seen Melnikov entering [it]", she added.
Sozar Subari
said that investigation of Sandro Girgvliani murder case was "a serious test for the government". He said that so far the only answer he had received from the authorities regarding the investigation of the case was that "there are punitive teams within the Interior Ministry, which are above of laws and which can liquidate any person in case of will."
Sozar Subari’s statement also said that the arrest of the four officers, "failed to remove doubts" persisting in the society regarding the murder case. "Those officials, who are suspected by society of having links with this case, would have been resigned in any democratic state, or in a state which has an ambition to be a democratic".
Shortly afterwards Data Akhalaia, and Oleg Melnikov announced their temporary resignation from office pending an investigation. Mr Akhalaia told a news conference that "We have nothing to do with the crime committed on January 28 [murder of Sandro Girgvliani], neither direct, nor indirect. It might be a surprise for certain [persons], but solving of this [criminal] case was made possible as a result of our efforts. Despite this, as we feel morally responsibility towards the society, our government and our families, we have decided to appeal the Interior Minister [Vano Merabishvili] to suspend our duties"
Opposition parliamentarians, said that Akhalaia and Sanodze’s decision was welcome and a result of pressure exerted by society on the Interior Ministry. MP Koba Davitashvili
, leader of opposition Conservative Party, told reporters "We can only welcome this decision, which will definitely defuse political tensions… But now it is very important to follow investigation of this case, so that to make sure that all those who masterminded this [murder case], if there are any, are prosecuted,"
and other cities signaling increasing anger against the Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili
. Several hours after the protest President Saakashvili invited three television journalists to hold a live press conference. He downplayed the opposition’s calls for Merabishvili's resignation as 'very funny' and said that he would strongly support the Minister claiming he was "really a very good Minister".
Several hundred protesters gathered outside the President’s Office on March 17 to demand Merabishvili’s resignation and an unbiased investigation of a high-profile murder scandal. The rally, which was organized by some human right groups, was joined by the opposition Republican, New Rights, Conservative, Labor and Freedom parties, as well as by those outdoor market sellers, also protested against, what they described as, 'police violence'.
On May 23 a small group of activists from the Equality Institute non-governmental organization
went on hunger strike and staged a protest rally central Rustaveli Avenue outside the Parliament
. Overnight the Georgian Patrol Police dispersed the protesters, arresting two of them and fining them GEL 7.5 for hooliganism
.
Tbilisi City Court launched on June 27 hearings into the murder case. Tamar Maisuradze, a key witness into the case, told the court, that she was sitting at a table near to that of the Interior Ministry officials and the Interior Minister’s wife. She also said that the victim was speaking emotionally, insulting Donadze but that she was not sure whether her or any other person sitting with him could have heard Girgvliani’s words.
At the court hearing on June 30 these key figures testified that they had heard nothing as music was playing loudly in the café. Investigators have ruled out that the murder was ordered and claim that the incident was a result of a spontaneous quarrel between the suspects and the victim. But the security guard at the café, also questioned by the court, ruled out that a quarrel, or incident took place outside the café.
On July 3 the hearing turned into a confrontation between the opposition and the judge. Inside the courtroom some opposition politicians, including MP Davit Gamkrelidze, the leader of New Rights party, verbally sparred with judge Giorgi Chemia accusing him of bias. As a result the judge demanded MP Gamkrelidze leave the courtroom. Meanwhile outside the courtroom the City Court’s guard refused entry to a group of opposition politicians, citing that the site was overcrowded. After the incident the Chairman of the Supreme Court Kote Kublashvili announced that Gamkrelidze would no longer be able to attend the trial because he was stirring too much noise and disorders at the hearings.
Meanwhile a few days later, Bukhaidze, told the court that Mikheil Bibiluri, one of the four suspects, was not at the scene of Sandro Girgvliani's death. He said that instead of Bibiluri, Oleg Melnikov, was the fourth attacker. "Today I can say for sure before the court: I recollected the fourth person in Okrokana [outskirts of Tbilisi, where Sandro Girgvliani’s body was located] and I can say for sure, that it was Oleg Melnikov" Bukhaidze added.
On July 5 prosecutors accused key suspect into the case Gia Alania, former chief of the first unit of the Interior Ministry’s Department for Constitutional Security, of deliberately inflicting injuries to Girgvliani, which resulted into the latter’s death and demanded nine-year imprisonment for him. Prosecutors demanded eight-year imprisonment for each of other three suspects.
Judge Chemia reached a decision on July 6. The Tbilisi City Court sentenced Gia Alania, ex-chief of the first unit of the Interior Ministry’s Department for Constitutional Security (DCS), to eight-years imprisonment for Sandro Girgvliani's murder. The three other officers were jailed for seven years each. All of them were found guilty of inflicting injuries, which resulted in Girgvliani’s death.
Whilst Chemia was announcing his verdict a few hundred protesters rallied outside the Tbilisi City Court to condemn what they said was a biased trial. The Girgvliani family lawyer, Shalva Shavgulidze, said that the court had done everything to prevent "the whole truth about the case" being revealed. Clashes erupted in the court chambers after the announcement, as opposition party activists and relatives of Girgvliani tussled with the court marshalls. Several protesters, including the opposition Republican Party activist were detained for disorders. Four activists were released on July 29 after serving a 30-day prison sentence for violations of public order outside the Court of Appeals in Tbilisi. Their arrest was condemned by the Ombudsman, Sozar Subari, as illegal.
John Tefft, the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, told the Associated Press
that "It has been our position to make quite clear to the government that we expect no cover-ups and that those who are responsible should be brought to justice,"
The daily 24 Saati (24 Hours) meanwhile wrote the next day that the judiciary had 'failed to pass the public test'. In an opinion article the publication remarked that "As anticipated, during announcement of the verdict the presiding judge Giorgi Chemia has not named a motive behind Sandro Girgvliani’s murder, as well as said nothing about those who have ordered the murder. The judge has ended hastily-conducted trial yesterday - it took just ten days - and ignored the position and evidence put forth by the victim’s attorney,"
The daily Rezonansi wrote in its article "Society Against Authorities", that whilst President Saakashvili was in the United States, Georgia was on the verge of a political crisis.
On July 12, prosecutors launched an investigation into the testimony provided by Levan Bukhaidze, the Chief of Tbilisi’s Prosecutors Office said. He was summoned for interrogation over his recent testimony on July 11. If the testimony by Bukhaidze were to be confirmed [that Melnikov was at the crime scene on January 28], it would undermine the entire official motives behind the crime - that the murder occurred as a result of a spontaneous row between the victim and four former police officials outside the Sheredan café in downtown Tbilisi.
Patrol Policeman Grigol Bashaleishvili was found guilty and sentenced to four-years imprisonment on August 10 by the Tbilisi City Court of the negligent murder of 19-year-old Amiran Robakidze on 23 November 2004. However relatives of the victim and some human rights groups have condemned the trial as an attempt to cover up higher-level Interior Ministry officials, who allegedly fabricated evidence. Robakidze's relatives and some human right groups have called for the prosecution of Interior Ministry officials who provided false crime scene evidence. In particular, Guram Donadze, one man at the centre of Sanrdo Girgvliani's murder, was singled out as a possible suspect.
, owner of the Imedi television station, stated that the Georgian authorities were mounting pressure on his station and other businesses after it had broadcast details of the Sandro Girgvliani murder case scandal.
"It is no secret that Imedi television was the first one which reported the circumstances of Sandro Girgvliani’s murder...this alone became a reason for the authorities’ dissatisfaction, which triggered the financial authorities to actively launch a probe into my businesses and my companies so [as] to force me to mount pressure against [my] journalists..and facilitate the creation of a favorable image of the authorities." Badri Patarkatsishvili went on to say that he would never yield to pressure from the authorities.
Shortly after this statement influential government MP Giga Bokeria convened a news conference and accused Patarkatsishvili of blackmailing the authorities "It appears that he [Patarkatsishvili] cannot forget his past – Russia during [ex-President Boris] Yeltsin
's presidency, when he and his friends controlled everything – the authorities, business and seized huge amounts of property. However, present-day Georgia is not Yeltsin’s Russia
. At the same time, present-day Georgia is not [Russian President Vladimir] Putin
's Russia, where political opponents are persecuted or arrested, where televisions are closed down. I want to stress that television, freedom of speech is untouchable. Mr. Patarkatsishvili can be engaged in politics, business - but he will not be able to blackmail the authorities through his own television or influence".
On July 6 Eka Khoperia, an anchor with Rustavi 2
TV, announced during her live program that she was resigning, after Data Akhalaia refused to take part in her talk show unless he will be able to speak after opposition representatives as a final guest. Khoperia said that this condition was unacceptable.
Sandro Girgvliani's high-profile murder case was the topic of Eka Khoperia’s talk show on July 6. Khoperia announced during the show that she had been informed that interview with Data Akhalaia, ex-chief of the Interior Ministry’s Department for Constitutional Security, will take place only on his conditions, otherwise he would not be available. Akhalaia had been accused by Girgvliani's relatives, some human right groups, and certain opposition parties of being behind the murder case.
"But the condition was that Akhalaia should have been last [guest] of the program; such conditions are absolutely unacceptable for me. Also I think that when such a murder [referring to the Girgvliani's case] occurs in the country the Interior Minister should at least resign. So this is my last program and I quit this channel [Rustavi 2]." After the statement, Khoperia announced an advertising break, but the programme did not resume.
Eka Khoperia's statement was interpreted by some opposition activists as an evidence of pressure on journalists of the Rustavi 2. Rustavi 2 has often been accused by the opposition of toeing the official line of President Saakashvili’s administration. It has also been widely speculated on that the channel's editorial policy was largely determined by officials from the ruling National Movement party.
The General-Director of Rustavi 2, Nika Tabatadze, denied that Khoperia, was under pressure from the Rustavi 2 management or the authorities. The Rustavi 2 TV chief also said that he talked with Khoperia after the program and said that Rustavi 2 is ready to continue cooperation with Eka Khoperia'. Eka Khoperia herself also denied that it was Minister of Interior who spoke with her about Akhalaia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. The killing, and the events as a result of it, have generated heavy criticism of the current government, particularly the interior minister, and the extent to which reformist President
President of Georgia
The President of Georgia is the head of state, supreme commander-in-chief and holder of the highest office within the Government of Georgia. Executive power is split between the President and the Prime Minister, who is the head of government...
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003...
has truly introduced judicial independence
Judicial independence
Judicial Independence is the idea that the judiciary needs to be kept away from the other branches of government...
and a democratic
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
culture into society.
The murder
Sandro Girgvliani was found dead on January 28, 2006 on the outskirts of TbilisiTbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
with multiple injuries inflicted as a result of physical abuse. According to an Imedi
Imedi Media Holding
Imedi Media Holding is a private television and Radio Company in Georgia. The stations were formerly owned in part by the late Georgian media tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili, and Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation.-History:...
Television investigation on February 12, the murder of the 28 year-old head of the United Georgian Bank's Foreign Department, can be traced to a series of events which developed in Tbilisi’s elite Sharden Bar. It is alleged that the Inspector General of Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vasil Sanodze was holding his birthday party to which the highest members of the department were invited. Tako Salakaia, the wife of current Interior Minister, Vano Merabishvili
Vano Merabishvili
Ivane Merabishvili is a Georgian politician who has served as the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs since December 18, 2004...
, was in attendance, and by chance happened to be a friend of Girgvliani's girlfriend, Tamar Maisuradze. Maisuradze's presence is reportedly the reason for the subsequent victim's fatal visit.
Levan Bukhaidze, Girgvliani’s friend, who had accompanied his friend to the bar, claims that a few minutes before the kidnapping took place, the victim had an argument with his girlfriend, who was sitting with the Interior Minister’s wife and her companions at the birthday party. In court Maisuradze recalled her dialogue with Girgvliani in the bar, claiming that "He asked why I was sitting with strangers. To this question I answered: that it did not matter who I was with and I asked whether he had come to find out only this. I did not know these people, but they were acquaintances of the girl I had come with. Then he asked why I was sitting with that ‘faggot’ – referring to [Guram] Donadze (head of the Ministry Press Centre)."
Whilst Bukhaidze has denied this comment was made, it is clear that Sandro Girgvliani and his friend left the scene, and were reportedly stuffed into a silver Mercedes-Benz ML Class vehicle by unknown men shortly afterwards. They were then taken to Okrokana, on the outskirts of Tbilisi. Girgvliani’s friend claims that whilst he was able to escape, Girgvliani was murdered. His body was found close to a nearby cemetery the next morning.
Aftermath
At a news conference on February 21, Sandro Girgvliani's mother said that officials from the Interior Ministry “masterminded my son's murder.” She demanded an immediate interrogation of those officials from the Interior Ministry who were present at the cafe with Girgvliani. At a subsequent conference on February 22, Member of ParliamentMember of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) Koba Davitashvili
Koba Davitashvili
Koba Davitashvili is a Georgian politician, prominent member of Georgian opposition, member of Tbilisi City Assembly and a leader of Geororgian Peoples Party.-Early life and career:...
, leader of the Georgian Conservative Party and MP Koka Guntsadze of the Rightist Opposition
Rightist Opposition
The Right Opposition is an alliance of Georgia's New Rights and Industry will save Georgia parties. It is the only opposition group that successfully won over seven percent of the votes on March 28, 2004, which was the necessary threshold to secure seats in Parliament...
opposition party, demanded that the authorities immediately investigate the case. They also alleged that Oleg Melnikov, an employee of the Interior Ministry, was among those persons who kidnapped Girgvliani and his friend.
Guram Donadze, told InterPressNews agency on February 21 that he and other officials had already been interrogated. "I will not make further comments while the investigation is on-going", Donadze said, but denied the allegations as 'groundless'. The Minister Vano Merabishvili
Vano Merabishvili
Ivane Merabishvili is a Georgian politician who has served as the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs since December 18, 2004...
meanwhile made his first public statement about the case on February 25 and hinted that he was not yet going to sack any of these officials.
On the 28th, MP for the Conservative Party Zviad Dzidziguri convened a press conference and showed an interview with Girgvliani's friend Bukhaidze – an eyewitness. The interview was conducted by MP Dzidziguri himself and, during the footage, Dzidziguri shows Bukhaidze a picture of a young man and asks Bukhaidze to identify this man. Bukhaidze replies that the man in the picture 'looks very much like' one of the four people who beat the two friends after they were abducted. The man in the picture was an Interior Ministry staff-member, Oleg Melnikov. Bukhaidze said he was "not 100% sure, but I can say that he looks very much like [the man]" Dzidziguri stressed that "The most important thing with this fact is that the investigators have not shown this picture to Levan Bukhaidze – which further increases doubts about the investigation process".
During parliamentary hearings on February 28, Merabishvili said that the investigation has not yet revealed any facts which could cause the dismissal of those officials who were mentioned in the Imedi report. He also said that allegations to link officials to the case are "attempts to discredit the police.... There are attempts to link this [case] to my family members as well. This is done deliberately to get on my nerves."
Whilst the Minister was in the midst of a speech at the hearing, opposition parliamentarians from the Rightist Opposition, Republican, Conservative and Democratic Front factions walked out of the chamber to protest against Merabishvili, and the possibly partisan
Partisan (political)
In politics, a partisan is a committed member of a political party. In multi-party systems, the term is widely understood to carry a negative connotation - referring to those who wholly support their party's policies and are perhaps even reluctant to acknowledge correctness on the part of their...
investigation.
Parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party, however thanked the Merabishvili for the performance of his department, with MP Givi Targamadze
Givi Targamadze
Givi Targamadze is a Georgian politician . Targamadze is the chairman of Defense and Security Committee of Parliament of Georgia and one of the leaders of United National Movement....
saying that "The opposition’s walk-out was just a stage show. They are speculating over the Girgvliani murder case and they are trying to use it for their own political interests, which is absolutely inadmissible".
After the hearings, the opposition parliamentarians called for Merabishvili’s resignation. Davit Gamkrelidze claimed that "It has become clear today that Merabishvili is trying to cover-up criminals sitting in the Interior Ministry. We, the opposition, society, should launch activities directed towards [ensuring the] dismissal of Merabishvili,"
Scandal widens
On March 5, events began to gather pace as Imedi television broadcast another report questioning the official version of the death of a former anti-drug policeman, Gia Telia. The programme indicated that some officials from the Interior Ministry could have been involved in the killing of Mr Telia. The former policeman, who retired in 2003, was killed in a clash with the Interior Ministry’s Special Operations Department (SOD) on February 16, 2006. According to the Ministry, Telia, a suspected drug dealer, was killed by police after he opened fire.The Ministry’s press office distributed a video of the operation to the national television networks showing the body of Telia lying on the floor of his apartment holding a pistol in his right hand. However in an interview with Imedi television, relatives of Telia claim that he would not hold a gun in his right hand as he was left-handed. Additionally they claimed that Telia had alleged that certain officials from the Ministry wanted 'to get rid of him' because of information he possessed about their possible involvement in drug trafficking. In a 2005 interview the former police officer claimed the police had unsuccessfully tried to arrest him under fabricated charges. He was then attacked and injured by a gunshot. In the interview Telia did not name the officials from the Interior Ministry who were apparently interested in his elimination, but speculated that Irakli Kodua, Chief of the Interior Ministry’s Special Operations Department (SOD), 'was ordered' to organize his assassination.
At the same time several opposition groupings, including the Rightist Opposition and Georgian Labour Party
Georgian Labour Party
The Georgian Labour Party is a political party in Georgia. The party is led by its founder Shalva Natelashvili.Its main goal is to make Georgia a democratic country and eventually to become a member of the European Union...
, announced their intention to launch street protests against the government in an attempt to force Vano Merabishvili
Vano Merabishvili
Ivane Merabishvili is a Georgian politician who has served as the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs since December 18, 2004...
to resign.
Arrests
On March 6 Vano Merabishvili announced that four officers - Gia Alania, Avtandil Aptsiauri, Aleksandre Gachava and Mikheil Bibiluri - from the Interior Ministry had been arrested on suspicion of killing Sandro Girgvliani. The minister gave no motive for the crime but stated that he had "evidence proving that they have committed this crime". The names of the four men had not been mentioned in the report, aired by Imedi television on February 12.Shortly after the arrests were announced MPs from the New Rights and Democratic Front
Democratic Front
Democratic Front is a name used by political parties and alliances in several countries, such as:*Democratic Front *Democratic Front for the Liberation of Angola*Democratic Front Party *Democratic Front...
parliamentary faction's convened a news conference. They said that the arrest of the Interior officials was "a good precedent
Precedent
In common law legal systems, a precedent or authority is a principle or rule established in a legal case that a court or other judicial body may apply when deciding subsequent cases with similar issues or facts...
". However Koba Davitashvili
Koba Davitashvili
Koba Davitashvili is a Georgian politician, prominent member of Georgian opposition, member of Tbilisi City Assembly and a leader of Geororgian Peoples Party.-Early life and career:...
of the Democratic Front added that "the major part of the investigation is still ahead. Not only should those who committed the crime be held responsible, but also those who ordered it." The parliamentarians again called for Merabishvili’s resignation.
Dismissal and widening criticism
On March 7 Guram Donadze one of the men at the centre of the murder was unexpectedly fired. The official reason behind Donadze’s dismissal was due to 'conflicting relations' with a number of journalists. MPs from the Rightist Opposition and Democratic Front then demanded that the Interior Minister, Vano Merabishvili, sack the Chief of the Department of Constitutional Security, Data Akhalaia and arrest Akhalaia’s deputy Oleg Melnikov for his alleged active participation in the beating of Girgvliani. The ruling National MovementNational Movement - Democrats
United National Movement is the main center-right party, largest political organization and current governing party in Georgia.- History :UNM was founded in October 2001 by Mikheil Saakashvili...
, responded by announcing their 'clear-cut support' towards Merabishvili and branded the opposition as 'closely incorporated into the criminal world'.
At this point the influential former Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
and leader of the Georgia's Way
Georgia's Way
Georgia's Way is a political party in Georgia. It was registered on March 11, 2006. The chairman of the party was former Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, who was sacked by Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli in October 2005. On November 12, 2010 Zourabichvili announced her resignation...
political party, Salome Zourabichvili
Salome Zourabichvili
Salomé Zourabichvili is a Georgian politician, from 2004 to 2005 Foreign Minister of Georgia and a former diplomat in the French service. Currently she is the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts assisting the UN Security Council’s Iran Sanctions Committee.-Biography:Zourabichvili was born in...
, announced her intention to work with the opposition parties regarding Girgvliani's murder. Speaking to Civil Georgia
Civil Georgia
Civil Georgia is a Tbilisi-based free daily news website run by the Georgian non-government organization The UN Association of Georgia. It is supported by USAID, Friedrich Ebert Foundation and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the grants of which cover about 98% of the website's expenses...
she said "... spare no efforts over this issue – be it street rallies, media statements, etc. Because, if a syndrome of fear appears, if the guilty are not punished... if there is no court, then we move towards a totalitarian regime."
Flaws in witness statements
Levan Bukhaidze, a key witness and the friend of Sandro Girgvliani, on March 9 revealed that he had failed on the same day to identify Oleg Melnikov, amongst four people during in a police lineup. However he later told Imedi television that this did not mean that the official was not amongst the men who brutally beat him and his friend on January 27. Bukhaidze went on to question the testimony of Gia Alana, one of the detained suspects, who claimed that he met with Girgvliani while the latter was coming out of the Sheredan café on the 27th. Alania says that he and his accompanying colleagues overheard Girgvliani verbally insult Donadze, irritating Alania and triggered a dispute between himself and the victim. Bukhaidze strongly denied this and claimed that no dispute had taken place after he and his friend left the café.Despite Bukhaidze’s failure to identify Oleg Melnikov, a statement made by Girgvliani's girlfriend, Tamar Maisuradze, hinted at Melnikov's possible involvement. She claimed that Melnikov left the café, under the pretext to buy a cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
, immediately after Bukhaidze and Girgvliani went out. He allegedly returned only after around 40 minutes, with Maisuradze going on to say that this was explained by the fact that he had travelled to a distant supermarket after being unable to buy the cigarettes he wanted at a nearby shop. "I have watched security video of that very same supermarket but I have not seen Melnikov entering [it]", she added.
Condemnation and resignation
In a statement issued on March 13 the Georgian OmbudsmanOmbudsman
An ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
Sozar Subari
Sozar Subari
Sozar Subari is a Georgian journalist and human rights activist who served as a Public Defender of Georgia from 2004 to 2009....
said that investigation of Sandro Girgvliani murder case was "a serious test for the government". He said that so far the only answer he had received from the authorities regarding the investigation of the case was that "there are punitive teams within the Interior Ministry, which are above of laws and which can liquidate any person in case of will."
Sozar Subari’s statement also said that the arrest of the four officers, "failed to remove doubts" persisting in the society regarding the murder case. "Those officials, who are suspected by society of having links with this case, would have been resigned in any democratic state, or in a state which has an ambition to be a democratic".
Shortly afterwards Data Akhalaia, and Oleg Melnikov announced their temporary resignation from office pending an investigation. Mr Akhalaia told a news conference that "We have nothing to do with the crime committed on January 28 [murder of Sandro Girgvliani], neither direct, nor indirect. It might be a surprise for certain [persons], but solving of this [criminal] case was made possible as a result of our efforts. Despite this, as we feel morally responsibility towards the society, our government and our families, we have decided to appeal the Interior Minister [Vano Merabishvili] to suspend our duties"
Opposition parliamentarians, said that Akhalaia and Sanodze’s decision was welcome and a result of pressure exerted by society on the Interior Ministry. MP Koba Davitashvili
Koba Davitashvili
Koba Davitashvili is a Georgian politician, prominent member of Georgian opposition, member of Tbilisi City Assembly and a leader of Geororgian Peoples Party.-Early life and career:...
, leader of opposition Conservative Party, told reporters "We can only welcome this decision, which will definitely defuse political tensions… But now it is very important to follow investigation of this case, so that to make sure that all those who masterminded this [murder case], if there are any, are prosecuted,"
Protests
On March 16, the most significant protests towards the authorities began with thousands of motorists beeping their horns in TbilisiTbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
and other cities signaling increasing anger against the Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili
Vano Merabishvili
Ivane Merabishvili is a Georgian politician who has served as the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs since December 18, 2004...
. Several hours after the protest President Saakashvili invited three television journalists to hold a live press conference. He downplayed the opposition’s calls for Merabishvili's resignation as 'very funny' and said that he would strongly support the Minister claiming he was "really a very good Minister".
Several hundred protesters gathered outside the President’s Office on March 17 to demand Merabishvili’s resignation and an unbiased investigation of a high-profile murder scandal. The rally, which was organized by some human right groups, was joined by the opposition Republican, New Rights, Conservative, Labor and Freedom parties, as well as by those outdoor market sellers, also protested against, what they described as, 'police violence'.
On May 23 a small group of activists from the Equality Institute non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
went on hunger strike and staged a protest rally central Rustaveli Avenue outside the Parliament
Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia
The Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia was the highest unicameral legislative body in Georgia elected in the first democratic, multiparty elections in the Caucasus in October 1990 while the country was still part of the Soviet Union. The Council presided over the declaration of Georgia’s...
. Overnight the Georgian Patrol Police dispersed the protesters, arresting two of them and fining them GEL 7.5 for hooliganism
Hooliganism
Hooliganism refers to unruly, destructive, aggressive and bullying behaviour. Such behaviour is commonly associated with sports fans. The term can also apply to general rowdy behaviour and vandalism, often under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs....
.
Interrogation and trial
On June 20 investigators from the General Prosecutor’s Office interrogated Data Akhalaia as well as Guram Donadze, the former Interior Ministry spokesman and the Interior Minister’s wife Tako Salakaia. Despite numerous demands by Girgvliani’s relatives their lawyer was not invited to attend the interrogation.Tbilisi City Court launched on June 27 hearings into the murder case. Tamar Maisuradze, a key witness into the case, told the court, that she was sitting at a table near to that of the Interior Ministry officials and the Interior Minister’s wife. She also said that the victim was speaking emotionally, insulting Donadze but that she was not sure whether her or any other person sitting with him could have heard Girgvliani’s words.
At the court hearing on June 30 these key figures testified that they had heard nothing as music was playing loudly in the café. Investigators have ruled out that the murder was ordered and claim that the incident was a result of a spontaneous quarrel between the suspects and the victim. But the security guard at the café, also questioned by the court, ruled out that a quarrel, or incident took place outside the café.
On July 3 the hearing turned into a confrontation between the opposition and the judge. Inside the courtroom some opposition politicians, including MP Davit Gamkrelidze, the leader of New Rights party, verbally sparred with judge Giorgi Chemia accusing him of bias. As a result the judge demanded MP Gamkrelidze leave the courtroom. Meanwhile outside the courtroom the City Court’s guard refused entry to a group of opposition politicians, citing that the site was overcrowded. After the incident the Chairman of the Supreme Court Kote Kublashvili announced that Gamkrelidze would no longer be able to attend the trial because he was stirring too much noise and disorders at the hearings.
Meanwhile a few days later, Bukhaidze, told the court that Mikheil Bibiluri, one of the four suspects, was not at the scene of Sandro Girgvliani's death. He said that instead of Bibiluri, Oleg Melnikov, was the fourth attacker. "Today I can say for sure before the court: I recollected the fourth person in Okrokana [outskirts of Tbilisi, where Sandro Girgvliani’s body was located] and I can say for sure, that it was Oleg Melnikov" Bukhaidze added.
On July 5 prosecutors accused key suspect into the case Gia Alania, former chief of the first unit of the Interior Ministry’s Department for Constitutional Security, of deliberately inflicting injuries to Girgvliani, which resulted into the latter’s death and demanded nine-year imprisonment for him. Prosecutors demanded eight-year imprisonment for each of other three suspects.
Judge Chemia reached a decision on July 6. The Tbilisi City Court sentenced Gia Alania, ex-chief of the first unit of the Interior Ministry’s Department for Constitutional Security (DCS), to eight-years imprisonment for Sandro Girgvliani's murder. The three other officers were jailed for seven years each. All of them were found guilty of inflicting injuries, which resulted in Girgvliani’s death.
Whilst Chemia was announcing his verdict a few hundred protesters rallied outside the Tbilisi City Court to condemn what they said was a biased trial. The Girgvliani family lawyer, Shalva Shavgulidze, said that the court had done everything to prevent "the whole truth about the case" being revealed. Clashes erupted in the court chambers after the announcement, as opposition party activists and relatives of Girgvliani tussled with the court marshalls. Several protesters, including the opposition Republican Party activist were detained for disorders. Four activists were released on July 29 after serving a 30-day prison sentence for violations of public order outside the Court of Appeals in Tbilisi. Their arrest was condemned by the Ombudsman, Sozar Subari, as illegal.
Reaction
The State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues, Giorgi Khaindrava, who attended proceedings at Tbilisi City Court described the trial as 'inadequate'. I think upon the arrival from the United States, President Saakashvili should consider the issue and take relevant conclusions and decisions, because what we are now seeing here [in the court] is a sign of a crisis" Khaindrava told reporters. He went on to say on July 7 that "This [Sandro Girgvliani’s murder] was such a case that I would have resigned if I were the Interior Minister". Khaindrava, was later sacked on July 21 for not following the official line issues and announced that he has joined the Equality Institute, a human rights group. During the scandal the group held a series of protest rallies in Tbilisi demanding a fair investigation into Girgvliani's murder.John Tefft, the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, told the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
that "It has been our position to make quite clear to the government that we expect no cover-ups and that those who are responsible should be brought to justice,"
The daily 24 Saati (24 Hours) meanwhile wrote the next day that the judiciary had 'failed to pass the public test'. In an opinion article the publication remarked that "As anticipated, during announcement of the verdict the presiding judge Giorgi Chemia has not named a motive behind Sandro Girgvliani’s murder, as well as said nothing about those who have ordered the murder. The judge has ended hastily-conducted trial yesterday - it took just ten days - and ignored the position and evidence put forth by the victim’s attorney,"
The daily Rezonansi wrote in its article "Society Against Authorities", that whilst President Saakashvili was in the United States, Georgia was on the verge of a political crisis.
Continuing scandal
Irina Enukidze, the mother of Girgvliani, claimed on May 2 that unspecified representatives of the authorities had offered her money in exchange for her silence and the conclusion of her pursuit of Merabishvili's resignation. to the issue of public discussions over this matter. "They [referring to authorities] offered me any sum in exchange for me keeping silent. Otherwise, they threatened to silence me by force. They also prohibited me from having any contact with the opposition. Now, I want to answer to the authors of these proposals - they have made a huge mistake."On July 12, prosecutors launched an investigation into the testimony provided by Levan Bukhaidze, the Chief of Tbilisi’s Prosecutors Office said. He was summoned for interrogation over his recent testimony on July 11. If the testimony by Bukhaidze were to be confirmed [that Melnikov was at the crime scene on January 28], it would undermine the entire official motives behind the crime - that the murder occurred as a result of a spontaneous row between the victim and four former police officials outside the Sheredan café in downtown Tbilisi.
Patrol Policeman Grigol Bashaleishvili was found guilty and sentenced to four-years imprisonment on August 10 by the Tbilisi City Court of the negligent murder of 19-year-old Amiran Robakidze on 23 November 2004. However relatives of the victim and some human rights groups have condemned the trial as an attempt to cover up higher-level Interior Ministry officials, who allegedly fabricated evidence. Robakidze's relatives and some human right groups have called for the prosecution of Interior Ministry officials who provided false crime scene evidence. In particular, Guram Donadze, one man at the centre of Sanrdo Girgvliani's murder, was singled out as a possible suspect.
Media pressure
During this period the influential media tycoon Badri PatarkatsishviliBadri Patarkatsishvili
Arkady "Badri" Patarkatsishvili was a wealthy Georgian businessman, who was also extensively involved in politics. He contested the 2008 Georgian presidential election and came third with 7.1% of the votes...
, owner of the Imedi television station, stated that the Georgian authorities were mounting pressure on his station and other businesses after it had broadcast details of the Sandro Girgvliani murder case scandal.
"It is no secret that Imedi television was the first one which reported the circumstances of Sandro Girgvliani’s murder...this alone became a reason for the authorities’ dissatisfaction, which triggered the financial authorities to actively launch a probe into my businesses and my companies so [as] to force me to mount pressure against [my] journalists..and facilitate the creation of a favorable image of the authorities." Badri Patarkatsishvili went on to say that he would never yield to pressure from the authorities.
Shortly after this statement influential government MP Giga Bokeria convened a news conference and accused Patarkatsishvili of blackmailing the authorities "It appears that he [Patarkatsishvili] cannot forget his past – Russia during [ex-President Boris] Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. On 29 May 1990 he was elected the chairman of...
's presidency, when he and his friends controlled everything – the authorities, business and seized huge amounts of property. However, present-day Georgia is not Yeltsin’s Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. At the same time, present-day Georgia is not [Russian President Vladimir] Putin
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...
's Russia, where political opponents are persecuted or arrested, where televisions are closed down. I want to stress that television, freedom of speech is untouchable. Mr. Patarkatsishvili can be engaged in politics, business - but he will not be able to blackmail the authorities through his own television or influence".
On July 6 Eka Khoperia, an anchor with Rustavi 2
Rustavi 2
Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company , better known as Rustavi 2, is the most successful private television broadcasting company in Georgia. The Rustavi, based in Tbilisi, was founded in 1994 in the town of Rustavi. It is a privately owned free to air terrestrial broadcaster that currently reaches around...
TV, announced during her live program that she was resigning, after Data Akhalaia refused to take part in her talk show unless he will be able to speak after opposition representatives as a final guest. Khoperia said that this condition was unacceptable.
Sandro Girgvliani's high-profile murder case was the topic of Eka Khoperia’s talk show on July 6. Khoperia announced during the show that she had been informed that interview with Data Akhalaia, ex-chief of the Interior Ministry’s Department for Constitutional Security, will take place only on his conditions, otherwise he would not be available. Akhalaia had been accused by Girgvliani's relatives, some human right groups, and certain opposition parties of being behind the murder case.
"But the condition was that Akhalaia should have been last [guest] of the program; such conditions are absolutely unacceptable for me. Also I think that when such a murder [referring to the Girgvliani's case] occurs in the country the Interior Minister should at least resign. So this is my last program and I quit this channel [Rustavi 2]." After the statement, Khoperia announced an advertising break, but the programme did not resume.
Eka Khoperia's statement was interpreted by some opposition activists as an evidence of pressure on journalists of the Rustavi 2. Rustavi 2 has often been accused by the opposition of toeing the official line of President Saakashvili’s administration. It has also been widely speculated on that the channel's editorial policy was largely determined by officials from the ruling National Movement party.
The General-Director of Rustavi 2, Nika Tabatadze, denied that Khoperia, was under pressure from the Rustavi 2 management or the authorities. The Rustavi 2 TV chief also said that he talked with Khoperia after the program and said that Rustavi 2 is ready to continue cooperation with Eka Khoperia'. Eka Khoperia herself also denied that it was Minister of Interior who spoke with her about Akhalaia
External links
- LifeSandro - Website Dedicated to Sandro Girgvliani
- Georgian Police Claim To Solve High-Profile Murder (Eurasia Daily Monitor)
- Protestors Demands Georgian Interior Minister's Resignation (Kvali Opinion)
- Despite Scandals, Georgia's Opposition Fails To Impress (Central Asia - Caucasus Analyst
- High-Profile Murder Case Trial Ends, But Questions Remain (Civil Georgia)
- Georgia: Murder Case Verdict Stirs Controversy (EurasiaNet)