In Georgia, convicted ex-MP Sandro Bregadze plans to continue his political and human rights activities

Sandro Bregadze, ex-Deputy of the Parliament of Georgia, sentenced to probation and fined for malicious hooliganism with use of impromptu means, intends to further engage in prisoners' rights and creation of a new party.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Sandro Bregadze was detained in late February in Tbilisi. He was taken to the police station after a conflict that burst out between him and an employee of one of the petrol stations. Today, the Tbilisi City Court has sentenced the former Georgian MP Sandro Bregadze to 5.5 years of probation (suspended imprisonment) and a fine of 20,000 laris. The defendant was released from custody in the courtroom.

When asked by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, whether he would appeal against the verdict, Sandro Bregadze said that he saw no sense in it.

He did not associate the fine with his political activities, but noted that 20,000 laris is a big amount.

The press service of the Tbilisi City Court has explained that the fine amount and the term of suspended imprisonment had been defined by the prosecutors and Bregadze himself in the course of the procedural agreement. After that, the prosecutor's office sent a petition to the court asked to decide on the basis of the achieved agreements.

In his turn, Mr Bregadze said that no methods of physical pressure had been applied to him - no verbal abuse and no beatings. Nevertheless, according to his story, the general custody conditions are quite appalling.

"It's just hell on earth: anti-sanitary conditions, unheated rooms, overcrowded cells and a lot more, about what I'm going to make a special declaration next week. I was struck by the composition of prisoners: under my observations, only 20 percent of inmates are real criminals; others are businessmen, doctors, convicted for falsifying medical documents, lawyers... I had a feeling that I'm not in jail, but in a park near the University," said the ex-MP.

"Before my arrest, we made preparations for establishment of a new party, but now I need to recover; and still I plan to continue my participating in politics; and I see the fight for prisoners' rights as my main priority. After what I saw in prison, I think it should be such," said Sandro Bregadze.