US State Department Annual report highlights the fact of violence against lawyer Giorgi Mdinaradze

The US State Department 2017 annual report pays a particular attention to the fact of violence against lawyer Giorgi Mdinaradze. Mr Giorgi Mdinaradze was subject to physical assault at Vake-Saburtalo N5 police department for the defence strategy chosen by him. Only one person – the head of the police department was put under investigation for the assault.

US State Department report reasonably emphasizes the fact that regardless the ongoing proceedings the prosecution did not submit charges against any additional police officers who allegedly participated in the assault. Also, it is alarming  that the arrested person was not even tried for the assault on the lawyer and he was simply  fined for the abuse of authority. The existing questions and numerous violations in this proceeding is the reason why the US annual report discusses the case in the section of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. This detail must be particularly alarming for all the relevant state institutions. The case is still pending before the supreme court of Georgia.

The Georgian Bar Association calls the relevant institutions to pay more attention to the facts of violations of lawyers’ rights and to ensure that the lawyers are able to perform their professional functions without obstacles and interference.