Inmates of Rustavi prison stop hunger strike

In Rustavi (Georgia), inmates of the penitentiary institution No. 6, who were on a hunger strike for more than ten days, stopped their protest action. This was reported by journalist and writer Lali Moroshkina after her conversation with participants of the protest action.

The "Caucasian Knot" reported that on September 21, 300 inmates of the prison No. 6 went on a hunger strike. Thus, they expressed their support to the victims of torture in other penitentiary institutions in Georgia. On September 24, parents of the prisoners, who gathered in front of the prison building, declared going on a hunger strike.

According to Lali Moroshkina, at the same time, some inmates fear of provocations. The journalist has explained that Gotcha Aprasidze, one of the prisoners, refused to be transferred to hospital. "He fears that during transportation, they would accuse him of trying to escape and shot in his back. He is in greater danger," the journalist believes.

Besides, Kiknadze, who claims to have materials, discreditable for ex-Minister Bacho Akhalaya, also demands to guarantee his personal safety. Meanwhile, according to Lali Moroshkina, "recently, inmates in prisons are being treated well," the "Georgia Online" reports.

Lawyers express their concern over fate of Rustavi hunger-strikers

On October 3, at a briefing at the Ministry of Corrections, lawyer Malkhaz Djangirashvili requested to transfer to hospital five prisoners, who were on hunger strike in the Rustavi prison No. 6 and whose condition was deteriorating day by day.

Another lawyer Irma Chkadua said that, according to her sources, at that prison, 35 more prisoners were on hunger strike, and she demanded public monitoring.

The lawyers stated that the Rustavi prison "still employs persons, who used violence against prisoners."

Then, Lali Moroshkina, who attended the briefing, accused Georgy Tugushi, new Minister of Corrections, of indifference to the fate of the prisoners.

Lawyer Magda Kotrikadze has stated that the public group for monitoring is being created to be composed of lawyers, human rights defenders, and doctors. They would conduct inspections in penitentiary institutions, the "News.ge" reports.

In Rustavi prison No. 6, fight between inmates occurs

Today, in the Rustavi penitentiary institution No. 6, a fight between inmates occurred. According to the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia, two prisoners, recently transferred from other penitentiary institution, started the fight with the inmates of their ward.

The victims of the fight were rendered medical assistance; however, according to the Ministry of Corrections, the prisoners themselves claim that they got injured by falling from their beds.

"In accordance with the legislation of Georgia, the case is under investigation. According to the preliminary information, the incident was caused by an old conflict. We believe that the case is to be necessarily investigated and that the causes of keeping conflicting people in the same ward are to be revealed," the official statement of the Ministry of Corrections reports.