The Special Penitentiary Service categorically denies the statement made by Irakli Garibashvili’s lawyer claiming that his client is being denied the right to receive visits
The Special Penitentiary Service categorically denies the allegations made by convicted former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s lawyer, claiming that his client is being denied the right to receive visits.
Commenting on the matter to Interpressnews, the Penitentiary Service explained that, under the regulations governing closed-type penitentiary facilities, where Garibashvili is being held, he is entitled to two long-term visits per year and one short-term visit per month. According to the agency, he has used his full allocation.
As for additional visits granted as a form of incentive to persons deprived of their liberty, the agency explained that, under the Penitentiary Code, such visits are authorised at the discretion of the penitentiary facility director. However, “this is one form of incentive and not an obligation on the part of the director”.
According to the Penitentiary Service, Irakli Garibashvili has also made use of additional visits granted in this manner on several occasions. Therefore, “the defence's allegations of any kind of restriction are entirely unfounded”.
The agency noted that it had to clarify the matter several months ago as well, after the convicted individual's lawyer claimed that a scheduled visit had been cancelled.
The Penitentiary Service maintains that neither then nor now had any additional visit been scheduled for the convicted individual, meaning that there could have been no cancellation.
