Irakli Pavlenishvili: Cases of violence, inhuman treatment and torture have increased in the penitentiary system - We demand that prisons be opened to rights defenders and media representatives

“Over the past several months, cases of violence, inhuman treatment and torture have increased in the penitentiary system. This is a catastrophe,” Irakli Pavlenishvili, a member of the governing council of the United National Movement, said at a briefing, commenting on information voiced in court by convicted prisoner Giorgi Davitadze, who claimed that prison administration employees sexually assaulted him.

According to Pavlenishvili, it is important that human rights defenders and media representatives be given the opportunity to enter penitentiary institutions and see the situation on the ground.

“We demand that prisons be opened to human rights defenders and representatives of the press and media so that they can see the situation on the ground, because reports are circulating that prisons are overcrowded, that there are unsanitary conditions, and that prisoners are victims of violence.

“It is essential that this specific case be investigated, because the convicted prisoner claims that video footage may also exist in connection with this horrific incident,” Pavlenishvili said.

For reference, following Giorgi Davitadze’s statement, the Special Penitentiary Service issued a statement calling the information disseminated about the alleged incident disinformation.

“This is a complete lie and a continuation of the discrediting of the penitentiary system initiated by the Davitadze family.

“Given the high public interest, we are ready, in accordance with the procedure established by law, to make the relevant video footage public, allowing the public to see for themselves the footage showing the period during which convicted prisoner Davitadze was placed in and remained in the de-escalation room,” the statement said.