Lawyers: Aleko Elisashvili’s contact with the outside world is restricted – we address the Prosecutor General to look into this matter and end the illegality that has been carried out against the convicted person for one year

The lawyers of the imprisoned opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili are addressing Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze with a statement, demanding that the convicted politician be able to enjoy the same rights that other prisoners in the penitentiary institution enjoy.

As the lawyers told journalists at the Prosecutor General’s Office, they have received a new decision under which Aleko Elisashvili does not have the right to visits or communication with family members. The lawyers consider these to be groundless restrictions that in reality serve the political persecution of Aleko Elisashvili. Accordingly, they are addressing the Prosecutor General to look into the matter and take an appropriate decision regarding the convicted opposition politician.

“His contact with the outside world is restricted, which we have already challenged in court. We are also addressing the Prosecutor General to look into this matter and end the illegality that has been carried out against the convicted person for one year. He has been deprived of those elementary rights that are guaranteed to every prisoner – to have telephone communication with family members and his lawyer. One year has already passed since the incident; during the investigation various items were seized – computers and phones in private ownership that belonged to the family members of the convicted Elisashvili – and to this day these items have not been returned, despite the fact that the investigation established that these items have no connection whatsoever with the case under investigation or the specific case of conviction.

We ask the Prosecutor General to look into this matter, take a fair decision, and ensure that this person’s rights are protected. In fact, for one year private owners have been unable to use their property without any legal basis; therefore it is important that the Prosecutor General study this issue and take a correct and fair decision,” stated lawyer Archil Chopikashvili.

According to another lawyer, Giorgi Rekhviashvili, a verdict has already been delivered regarding the seized equipment that was taken by law-enforcement officers at the investigation stage, and therefore additional examination of the said equipment is not required.

“These restrictions serve only one purpose – to punish Aleko Elisashvili because of his political activity,” he stated, adding that “Mamuka Mdinaradze’s factor is also present here.”