Detainee on October 4 events to judge: I am a critical patient - you don’t need much explanation from me to understand that timely treatment and doctor access is impossible in prison
"From a medical perspective, I am a critical patient. You don’t need a long explanation from me to understand that in prison timely treatment and doctor visits are not possible," said Giorgi Rurua, detained in connection with the October 4 events near the Athone Palace, during a court hearing.
He asked Judge Valerian Bugianishvili not to leave the preventive measure of imprisonment in effect against him.
"A doctor, a urologist, examined me and told me that my kidneys are in poor condition. He said I am close to losing my kidneys. For context, I have kidney stones and polycystic kidney disease — these conditions interfere with proper kidney function. My detention and the preventive measure against me violate medical norms. Beyond that, I believe the law guarantees my right to protect my life and health.
My health requires timely, necessary, and comprehensive care. From a medical standpoint, I am a critical patient. You don’t need a long explanation to understand that timely treatment and doctor visits are impossible in prison. Article 15 of the Constitution explicitly states that a person has the right to life and health. Therefore, I ask you to consider changing my preventive measure.
You can summon the prison doctor and question them — they will tell you the same thing I am saying," Rurua said.
According to his lawyer, Ia Siranashvili, Giorgi’s mother is deceased, and he was raised by his aunt. He has a wife and child.
"They live in extreme hardship. Giorgi worked at ‘Domino’ and supported his family. Besides a 3-second video, there is no other evidence in the case," the lawyer said. When the judge asked whether they had requested an expert examination, the lawyer replied that they had not.
Prosecutor Lasha Tskvitaria stated that the defendants are receiving full medical care in the penitentiary institution.
For reference, the following individuals — Vladimer Gvelesiani, Zurab Chavchanidze, Sergo Megrelishvili, Giorgi Rurua, Amiran Dolishvili, Anton Vardanidze, Giorgi Korkia, Alexander Chilachava, Genadi Kupreishvili, Lasha Ivanadze, Levan Jikia, Sulkhan Tugushi, Khvicha Gogokhia, and Ramaz Mumladze — are charged under Article 19-222(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns the attempt to seize and block strategic and especially important facilities committed as a group. They are also charged under Article 225(2) of the Criminal Code for participation in group violence.
