Three Georgian prisoners of war, including Giorgi Antsukhelidze, were detained in the territory where Russia exercised effective control. Based on the case materials, the European Court noted that they were killed in captivity. Regarding Giorgi Antsukhelidze, the Strasbourg Court emphasized the fact that his body was handed over to the Georgian authorities in November 2008, more than three months after his capture. In addition, as the court noted, although the exact cause and circumstances of Giorgi Antsukhelidze’s death remain unclear, it can be said with certainty that he was last seen in the custody of the “South Ossetian” forces during a period of violence and death threats, and the court assumes that he was violently brought to his death.

GYLA won the case of Georgian military personnel Giorgi Antsukhelidze, Ushangi Sopromadze, Kakhaber Khubuluri, Davit Malachini, Zaza Kavtiashvili, Imeda Kutashvili, Malkhaz Meladze and Kakhaber Zirakashvili against the Russian Federation in the Strasbourg Court.

As GYLA Chairwoman Tamar Oniani stated, today’s decision is of fundamental importance and precedent-setting, as the European Court of Human Rights has established the jurisdiction and responsibility of the Russian Federation for actions taken during the active phase of the war.

“Today, the Georgian Young Lawyers Association, as a result of an 18-year legal battle, has won a major victory in the Strasbourg Court. In particular, two decisions were issued today on the cases of Georgian military personnel, including the case of Giorgi Antsukhelidze. GYLA won the aforementioned decisions and cases against the Russian Federation.

It was established that the Russian Federation is responsible for the murder of Giorgi Antsukhelidze, Kakhaber Khubuluri and Ushangi Sopromadze in the context of the 2008 war, as well as for the torture of Giorgi Antsukhelidze, Ushangi Sopromadze, Kakhaber Khubuluri, Davit Malachin, Zaza Kavtiashvili, Imeda Kutashvili, Malkhaz Meladze and Kakhaber Zirakashvili and the ineffective investigation into these facts. The European Court ordered the Russian Federation to pay a total of 395,000 euros in just satisfaction to all applicants,” Tamar Oniani stated.

According to him, the Georgian Young Lawyers Association has been actively defending the interests of victims of the August 2008 war in the Strasbourg Court for 18 years and will continue to assist them in the future. GYLA has filed a total of 53 complaints against the Russian Federation regarding violations committed during the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war to protect the interests of more than 400 victims.