Public Defender releases statement on Irakli Kvaratskhelia’s death

The Public Defender of Georgia expresses deep sorrow over the death of Irakli Kvaratskhelia during his unlawful imprisonment and calls on the Georgian authorities to use all international mechanisms to ensure effective investigation of the case and punishment of alleged perpetrators.

“The reports spread by the local population about alleged ill-treatment of Irakli Kvaratskhelia during his detention are concerning and need to be verified. The Public Defender is hopeful that Kvaratskhelia's body will be transferred to the Georgian authorities in the shortest possible time“, reads the statement.

According to the Public Defender, the detention of the Georgian citizen represents an illegal deprivation of liberty.

The Public Defender considers that the above-mentioned case once again demonstrates the necessity of presence of international and independent human rights monitoring mechanism in the occupied territories and urges the Georgian authorities and the international community to take more effective steps to ensure protection of human rights in the occupied territories.