Special Penitentiary Service has issued a statement in connection to the visit of the Public Defender of Georgia to so-called “Matrosov Prison”.

According to the statejment, the Ombudsman met with defendant Irakli Okruashvili, convicted Vano Merabishvili, convicted Kakhaber Nakani and demanded a meeting with convicted Guram Donadze, but he refused to meet with the Public Defender.

"The Public Defender 's visit to the N9 Penitentiary establishment has ended.

Today, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria and her deputy, Giorgi Burjanadze arrived at the N9 penitentiary after 18:00, minutes after the closure of the penitentiary. During her visit to the facility, the Ombudsman met with defendant Irakli Okruashvili, convicted Vano Merabishvili, convicted Kakhaber Nakani and demanded a meeting with convicted Guram Donadze, but he refused to meet with the Public Defender,” the Special Penitentiary Department said.

Nino Lomjaria told media that the information about her visit was confidential, but according to her, “as it seems the information leakage took place.”

“I have met with several people, it doesn't matter he was Vano Merabishvili or Bacho Akhalaia. If I wanted I would have told whom and why I meet with. I decide why, when and where to come; I came here upon the desire of the prisoners, this information is confidential because the prisoners themselves want to do so, ”Lomjaria said after leaving the facility.