According to prosecutor Medea Tsiramua, opposition leaders Khatia Dekanoidze and Tamaz Datunashvili, when questioned at Tbilisi City Court, were unable to provide the investigation with any information related to the death of human rights defender Lazare Jorbenadze.

As the prosecutor told journalists after their questioning, Dekanoidze and Datunashvili stated that they learned of Lazare Jorbenadze’s existence from the letter of former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili.

“Within the framework of the ongoing investigation, as a result of the investigative and procedural actions carried out in the case, including the questioning of family members and the spouse, the fact of Lazare Jorbenadze’s suicide has indeed been confirmed. Nevertheless, we considered it appropriate that a certain circle of persons be questioned based on the public statements they had made. A certain circle of persons was questioned yesterday. Persons who refused to be questioned by the investigative body were questioned before a magistrate judge. At this stage, two persons have been questioned — Khatia Dekanoidze and Tamaz Datunashvili. Each of them stated during questioning before the court that they learned of Lazare Jorbenadze’s existence from the public statement made by convicted Irakli Gharibashvili. Accordingly, neither of the aforementioned witnesses was able to provide the investigation with any kind of information regarding the fact of Lazare Jorbenadze’s suicide,” Medea Tsiramua stated.

As the prosecutor explained, Irakli Gharibashvili has not provided any information for the investigation into his other cases either.

“As for convicted Irakli Gharibashvili, he possesses no information of any kind regarding Lazare Jorbenadze’s suicide. He has not provided any authentic information regarding the fact of the suicide. I can speak to you about the criminal case that is in my proceedings. I cannot provide additional information regarding other criminal cases,” the prosecutor stated.

When asked whether Irakli Gharibashvili might be charged with false denunciation, Medea Tsiramua explained that a final decision will be made on the basis of the evidence.

“I have already told you what information Gharibashvili provided to the investigation. In a criminal case, a summarizing decision is made on the basis of the evidence and the investigative and procedural actions carried out. According to the evidence, no witness possesses any information regarding the fact of the suicide. The investigative body summons every person who may have any kind of information related to this criminal case. Irakli Gharibashvili was questioned regarding the fact of Lazare Jorbenadze’s suicide. He has not provided the investigative body with any kind of information regarding other crimes. He had the opportunity both to answer questions and to provide information beyond the questions. He was categorical that he possesses no information of any kind in this regard,” the prosecutor stated.

As Medea Tsiramua explains, if necessary, the circle of persons to be questioned will also be expanded.

“The investigation continues. If there is a need to question anyone, the investigative body will question them and carry out the corresponding investigative action. The investigation continues and all persons who may have any involvement will be questioned,” the prosecutor stated.

For reference: Former Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili published another letter from prison in which he asks the question, “What was the real reason for the death of human rights defender Lazare Jorbenadze?” and says that in society “to this day unanswered questions remain regarding the suicide of several people that took place during the Kobakhidze–Mdinaradze rule.”

Following this, the Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement confirming the fact of Lazare Jorbenadze’s suicide. According to their information, despite this, on the basis of the public statements made by convicted Irakli Gharibashvili and other persons, within the framework of the investigation ongoing at the Ministry of Internal Affairs under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office, the following persons were summoned for questioning: Nika Gvaramia; Irma Inashvili; Nanuka Zhorzholiani; Khatia Dekanoidze; Tazo Datunashvili; Gia Khukhashvili; Giorgi Liluashvili; Zaza Davitaya; Ermile Nemsadze; Giorgi Gigauri.