Archil Gorduladze on rape allegation by convicted Giorgi Davitaze: They want to create the impression that the situation in the penitentiary system has returned to the era of the “Collective National Movement” - This is an absolute lie

“They want to create the impression that the situation in the penitentiary system has returned to the era of the ‘collective National Movement’ — this is an absolute lie, as confirmed both by today’s statement from the Special Penitentiary Service and by the videos that have been circulated,” Archil Gorduladze, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, told journalists, commenting on a statement made by convicted Giorgi Davitaze at the Tbilisi Court of Appeals.

According to Gorduladze, the “National Movement” has now launched a particularly strong attack on the penitentiary institutions and the system as a whole.

“The collective ‘National Movement’ and their television channels are spreading numerous lies. Among other things, they have now launched a particularly strong attack on the penitentiary institutions and the system as a whole. Why? Because regarding their criminal actions, about which the Strasbourg Court has stated that a systematic and systemic regime of torture had been established, which was particularly evident in the penitentiary system, they are now trying to suggest that something similar is happening in the relevant institution, which is an absolute lie. The GYLA is speaking in this context, and a convicted person is spreading lies and disinformation in this context, and various so-called politicians have subsequently joined in. Ultimately, they want to create the impression that the situation in the penitentiary system has returned to what it was during the era of the collective ‘National Movement.’ This is an absolute lie, as confirmed both by today’s statement from the Special Penitentiary Service and by the videos that have been circulated,” Gorduladze said.

For reference, according to a statement made by convicted Giorgi Davitaze at the Tbilisi Court of Appeals, he accuses guards at Penitentiary Institution No. 6 of rape. He also said that the alleged incident took place in a de-escalation room, involved several individuals, and claimed that “everything can be seen on the cameras.”

The Special Penitentiary Service also responded to the issue, calling the allegation disinformation. According to the Penitentiary Service, “there was no violence of any kind against Davitaze, let alone sexual violence.”