Salia: Davit Feikrishvili Was Not Alone in Cell, Other Individuals Were Placed With Him

Justice Minister Paata Salia said on the air of Rustavi 2 that Davit Feikrishvili was not alone in the cell. Asked by the host whether other individuals had been placed with him, Salia answered: "Yes".

Asked whether these were Vato Kiapiani and his companions, the minister said the investigation would establish this.

Salia said: "One thing I can confirm, [Davit] Feikrishvili was definitely not alone in the cell. The investigation will establish the specific names and surnames of the individuals who were in this cell, how many people there were, why they were placed there, who was in charge, who was supervising, who was informed, etc. This is what the investigation will determine. I hope we will know the initial results of the investigation soon".

Davit Feikrishvili stated that in Gldani Prison No. 8 he was physically assaulted by so-called criminal authorities Avtandil Bilanishvili, also known as "Katsro", Vato Kiapiani, Shota Kiapiani and two other individuals. The Penitentiary Service categorically denied this, but later Feikrishvili was placed in the Vivamed clinic with multiple injuries, where he is still receiving treatment.

The investigation was initially launched by the General Inspection of the Ministry of Justice, after which the case was transferred to the investigative department of the Prosecutor General's Office. After the Prosecutor's Office, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Justice, applied to suspend the authority of Penitentiary Service Director Giorgi Pataridze, Pataridze left his post. Ramaz Tatarashvili, director of the Inner Kartli Police Department, was appointed in his place.