Prosecutor’s Office Releases Interim Results of Cyanide Case Investigation
TBILISI – The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia (POG) provided the public with information about a cyanide case that caused turmoil in the country, as it involves the Patriarchate of Georgia. The POG stated they have interviewed over thirty witnesses, carried out up to ninety investigative and procedural actions, including the examination and seizure of cellphones, personal computers and other electronic data carriers.
The POG also released some evidence from the case, including video footage and phone conversation recordings.
“The investigation started on February 2, 2017, based on astatement by the citizen Irakli Mamaladze, who addressed the POG and stated that his acquaintance Father Giorgi Mamaladze asked for his help and assistance in obtaining the toxic substance potassium cyanide. Herewith, Irakli Mamaladze also provided the POG with covert audio-video recording of his meeting with Giorgi Mamaladze and a piece of paper handed over to him by the latter, which had a handwritten inscription – “potassium cyanide”. According to Irakli Mamaladze, at the meeting with Giorgi Mamaladze he learned that the latter was planning to kill a high ranking clergyman,” the statement of the POG reads.
The nvestigation established that Giorgi Mamaladze asked Irakli Mamaladze to obtain the toxic substance in the shortest amount of time possible and was willing to pay for it. In addition, Giorgi Mamaladze promised him illegal profit and benefits for his help in this matter. The defendant was planning to travel to Germany, where the Patriarch of Georgia was accompanied by Shorena Tetruashvili. Therefore, Giorgi Mamaladze was trying to obtain the toxic substance as soon as possible before leaving for Germany.
“From the conversation, it is apparent that Giorgi Mamaladze linked the results of his activities with certain advancement in the hierarchy of the clergy, which would subsequently increase his power in the Patriarchate. Hence, Giorgi Mamaladze promised Irakli Mamaladze a “good position” as well,” the POG stated.
On February 10, 2017, the officers of the POG arrested Giorgi Mamaladze at Tbilisi International Airport prior to his departure for Germany. After a search, the investigators seized the sodium cyanide hidden in his baggage.
“During the search of Giorgi Mamaladze’s apartment, the investigation seized an improvised (handmade) firearm without a serial number and 6 cartridges, which he illegally purchased and retained at his apartment. Based on the collected evidence, Giorgi Mamaladze was charged with the preparation of Shorena Tetruashvili’s murder and illegal purchase and retention of a firearm,” the statement reads.
The POG also said that Giorgi Mamaladze was possibly preparing the murder of other persons as well, and that he presumably was acting together with other accomplices. The security measures surrounding the Patriarch of Georgia were intensified throughout his stay in Germany.
“Based on this suspicion, the Office of the Chief Prosecutor continues to work on several versions and investigative actions are intensively carried out in all directions…The POG will periodically inform the public about the results of the investigation,” the statement reads.
The defendant’s lawyers say the video and phone evidence are fabricated. They will apply to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasburg with the argument that the POG violated the law.
“The prosecution has no evidence that Archpriest George Mamaladze bought cyanide or from whom he bought it. The published evidence is the maximum the POG can do. They fabricated the recordings,” said Mamaladze’s lawyer, Giorgi Pantsulaia.
By Thea Morrison