Penitentiary system reform in Georgia criticized in South Ossetia

Today, David Sanakoev, ombudsman under the President of the Republic of South Ossetia, has addressed a letter to ambassador Roy Reev, head of OSCE mission in Georgia, and a copy to Gilliom Siemenski, head of Office on Human Dimension under the OSCE mission in Georgia. This has been reported to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent at the Information and Press department of the unrecognized republic.

In particular, the letter runs: "Dear Mr. Ambassador, the suppression of a riot in pre-trial prison No. 5 in Tbilisi on March 27 resulted in the death of Alexander Tskhovrebov, citizen of the Republic of South Ossetia. The penitentiary system reform conducted in Georgia, unfortunately, does not provide for the observance of rights of those who are on trial or convicted, including citizens of the Republic of South Ossetia."

"South Ossetia officials have repeatedly expressed their concern about the life and health of their citizens held in prisons and pre-trial facilities in Georgia. The above fact is a direct confirmation of our concerns," runs the letter cited at the Department. "You are kindly requested to provide assistance in the consideration of the issue of transferring prisoners from South Ossetia to the law enforcement agencies of South Ossetia in order to prevent further deterioration of the condition of RSO citizens held in Georgian prisons and pre-trial facilities and abasement of their dignity."

For reference, on the night of March 27, a riot of prisoners took place in prison No. 5 of Tbilisi, Georgian capital. The riot squad resorted to force in suppressing it. Seven prisoners were killed as a result.

22 prisoners are undergoing medical treatment in various establishments of the country. None of the prisoners killed in the course of the riot suppression in Tbilisi prison No. 5 were convicted. The said prisoners were accused of committing medium and serious crimes, in particular, robbery and brigandism, production and sale of drugs or rape. Court proceedings were under way on their cases.

According to the Georgian Ministry of Justice information, the 24-year-old Alexander Tskhovrebov was accused under Article 177, Part 2 of the Georgian CC "theft causing considerable damage," and under Article 236, Part 1 and 2 of the CC "illegal acquisition or storage of fire arms, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices" and "illegal carrying of fire arms, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices."