11:16, 4 May 2019

Relatives of Georgian priest Mamaladze announce round-the-clock protest action

Tornike Mamaladze, the brother of Giorgi Mamaladze, with his nephews at a protest action on May 3, 2019. Photo by Beslan Kmuzov for the "Caucasian Knot"

On May 3, relatives of Giorgi Mamaladze, a priest, who was found guilty of trying to poison the patriarch's secretary, launched an action demanding from the Georgian Church to submit a petition asking to pardon the convict.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 5, 2017, the court sentenced Mamaladze to nine years in prison, finding him guilty of preparing the murder of the secretary of the Georgian Patriarch and illegal possession of firearms. On August 9, 2018, Mamaladze appealed to the Georgian President for pardon, but he was not put on the list. Besides, he filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

Mamaladze's relatives believe that his release depends on the Georgian Patriarchate, which appeals to the president for pardoning prisoners.

"He is kept in jail on a trumped up accusation. The real reason is that he knew about the abuses that were hidden from the Patriarch," said Tornike Mamaladze, the priest's brother.

Giorgi Mamaladze's relatives have set up a tent in front of the Patriarchate building, in which they intend to be on duty around the clock, until a petition for clemency is filed. Three Giorgi's children, aged from 7 to 12, also took part in the action.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 4, 2019 at 00:41 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Beslan Kmuzov

Source: CK correspondent