The Special Penitentiary Service is responding to “false information” circulated in the media by convict Archil Museliants—claiming that he is being held in substandard conditions and is not receiving adequate medical care.

They further state that the allegations made by convict Museliants constitute an attempt to discredit the penitentiary system and do not reflect the actual conditions within the penitentiary facilities.

“It is important to note that Museliantsi is characterized by conflict-prone behavior—not only toward the institution's administration but also toward other inmates—which frequently necessitates his transfer between cells. In accordance with institutional regulations, when an inmate is moved from one cell to another, they are placed in a so-called "quarantine" area for a specific period, as prescribed by law. Consequently, given that Museliants has already changed cells numerous times, he is well aware that moving out of a cell entails placement in quarantine; thus, his claim that he was unexpectedly transferred to quarantine—and that this was done to exert pressure on him—is completely false.

His claims regarding unsanitary conditions and malfunctioning utilities within the penitentiary facility are also untrue. We wish to remind the public that cleaning and appropriate disinfection measures are regularly carried out to maintain sanitary and hygienic standards in penitentiary facilities—a matter on which the Penitentiary Service has frequently released information, and an issue that is one of the key priorities for the penitentiary system.

The convicted individual is making false statements when claiming that medical services within the facility are inaccessible due to the large number of inmates. In reality, convicted persons and accused individuals have the opportunity to consult medical staff and receive appropriate medical care within the facility itself; furthermore, when necessary, they are transferred to civilian sector clinics to undergo any required high-tech examinations or treatments.

It is also completely untrue that convicted persons in the penitentiary facility are not provided with quality food. To inform the public, we clarify that the provision of meals to convicted persons adheres to an established menu and complies with relevant nutritional and sanitary standards. Ensuring the quality of food is one of the Penitentiary Service's top priorities.

Regarding the allegation made by the convicted individual concerning the inspection of correspondence, we note that the receipt, dispatch, and inspection of correspondence within the penitentiary facility are conducted in accordance with security requirements, and without the content being reviewed. Museliantsi’s statement contradicts the content of his own letter, as it is abundantly clear that he has the ability to convey the letter to media outlets without hindrance. Consequently, portraying this specific incident as the imposition of unlawful "censorship" by facility staff constitutes a misinterpretation of the matter and an attempt to mislead the public.

The Special Penitentiary Service clarifies that protecting the rights of convicts and ensuring security and appropriate conditions are among the Service's priorities. Accordingly, the Service urges media outlets and all interested parties to rely on verified and confirmed facts when disseminating information regarding the penitentiary system and to refrain from spreading information that does not reflect reality and serves to foster misconceptions among the public," reads the statement.