Ombudsman Demands Explanations on Machalikashvili Case
The Public Defender of Georgia, Nino Lomjaria, demands the explanations from the Prosecutor’s Office regarding the investigation process of the case of Temirlan Machalikashvili, a terror-related case suspect who was shot dead during a detention operation in Pankisi Gorge in December 2017, making the statement while presenting an annual report to the Parliament today. She considers that the Parliament should summon the Chief Prosecutor to hear the reasons why the investigation of Machalikashvili’s death has not been completed yet and whether all necessary investigative processes are being carried out.
She pointed out that throughout the whole year the Public Defender’s Office tried to get information from the Prosecutor's Office about the progress of the investigation, however, the replies sent by them were “dry, superficial and uninformative”.
The Public Defender believes that the Georgian Parliament should use all possible tools under its authority to determine the circumstances of Temirlan Machalikashvili's death.
“You should ask the Prosecutor General to submit an annual report and in this context, you will also be able to discuss the investigation of the cases that show systemic problems in the Prosecutor's Office,” she said.
Temirlan Machalikashvili, the 18-year old suspect in supporting terrorism-related activities, was wounded in the head during the special operation on December 26 and died of his injuries in a Tbilisi hospital on January 10 atter being in a coma for two weeks.
The State Security Service said that he attempted to resist the security forces and tried to use a hand grenade, to which the SSG operatives responded with “proportional force.” Machalikashvili’s family denies the above and claims he was asleep when officers entered his room and opened fire.
The prosecutor's office announced in spring that the investigation would be completed in two months, however, the case has not been investigated yet and the charges against the deceased have not been officially confirmed.
Photo: Temirlan Machalikashvili
By Ana Dumbadze