The South Caucasus News - SouthCaucasusNews.comOn November 5, 2024 the State Security Service of Georgia reported that two Georgian citizens, Khajarat Akhvlediani and Giorgi Romelashvili have been released and are now safe on the territory controlled by the central government.
Khajarat Akhvlediani was illegally detained by the Russian occupying forces in the occupied territory near the village of Takhtisdziri, Kareli municipality on February 28, 2024, while Giorgi Romelashvili was allegedly illegally detained by the Russian occupying forces on May 25, 2024 near occupied Tskhinvali region.
The SSSG said that in the process of releasing Khajarat Akhvlediani and Giorgi Romelashvili from illegal imprisonment, “both the “hotline” mechanism operated by the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia and all the relevant tools at the disposal of the central government were actively used.” The issue was also discussed both at the meetings held in the format of the incident prevention and response mechanism (IPRM), as well as at the Geneva International Discussions.
The SSSG said all responsibility for destructive actions carried out in the occupied regions of Georgia and along the occupation line rests with the occupying power.
It added that “the central government, together with international partners, continues to work actively for the release of all citizens of Georgia illegally detained in the occupied territories.”
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Court annuls Georgian election results
A court has annulled the voting results at 30 polling stations in the Tetritskaro and Tsalka municipalities in Georgia, ruling that ballot secrecy there was violated during the recent parliamentary election. Judge Vladimir Khuchua thus upheld a lawsuit filed earlier by the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA).
On October 30, GYLA demanded the annulment of results in all districts where elections were conducted electronically. The principle of ballot secrecy was widely violated, stated the organization’s chair, Nona Kurdovanidze. The review of complaints began on October 31 in district election commissions and continued in court.
On November 3, it was reported that Tbilisi city and district courts had rejected all claims.
According to the GYLA representatives, the current decision by Judge Vladimir Khuchua has set a new precedent:
“Authorities may challenge this decision, but it does not change the fact that this particular court acknowledged to the public that ballot secrecy—a constitutional principle of conducting elections—was violated.”
The association intends to appeal the decisions of other courts that did not uphold their claims.
According to official data, the ruling Georgian Dream party won the October 26 parliamentary elections with nearly 54% of the vote—12% more than the exit poll results. Observers and experts report thousands of violations and instances of fraud in the voting process.
Court annuls Georgian election results
On November 5, in an interview with Russian media group Russia Today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denied allegations of Russian interference in the Georgian elections, accused the West of interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs, and expressed readiness to further normalize bilateral relations with Georgia.
Commenting on the allegations of Russian interference in the October 26 parliamentary elections, Lavrov stressed that such claims are an “outright lie” and said: “The Americans are trying to attribute to us what they themselves are doing”. He added: “Washington continues to actively exploit the self-generated myth of Russian interference in any election, whether “at home” or in third countries. If, as a result of the election results, forces undesirable to the United States win somewhere, Russia is immediately ‘blamed’ for the ‘wrong’ choice of voters.”
He emphasized that Russia has already shared its concerns about “the West’s unprecedented interference” in Georgia’s internal affairs and the “unscrupulous pressure” of the West “on Georgian authorities and voters.”
He also noted that the U.S. and the EU “are artificially trying to present the current electoral process in Georgia as a strategic choice between Russia and the West,” and thus, he claimed “they want to put Georgia and other post-Soviet states in front of a false fork in the road.”
He went on to say that “in reality, we are talking about a choice between sovereign development based on national interests and external governance, between traditional values and neoliberal attitudes imposed from outside.”
“The people of Georgia have made their choice. We treat them with respect. We are ready to continue the process of normalization of bilateral relations,” Lavrov concluded.
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AbzasMedia has released a public letter from journalist Ulvi Hasanli, currently held at the Baku Investigation Detention Center No. 1.
In his correspondence, Hasanli outlines the various pressures and challenges faced by detainees, emphasizing concerns regarding the treatment of prisoners and the systemic issues within the penal system.
Reasons behind the pressure
Hasanli identifies two primary reasons for the imposition of restrictions and threats within the Baku Pretrial Detention Center (BIT). Firstly, he asserts that prison authorities are attempting to suppress the exposure of alleged tortures and illegal practices occurring within their walls. The administration, he claims, is determined to carry out abuses, including systematic torture and inhumane treatment, without scrutiny or reporting from those incarcerated. He notes that as they have sought to shed light on these injustices, prison officials have resorted to coercive tactics, restricting visits and communication with family members.
For example, Hasanli recounts a period during which he and his fellow detainees were barred from any contact with the outside world for three months, severely limiting their ability to communicate with loved ones. Following this initial ban, contact was only intermittently permitted, with Hasanli himself able to see his young daughter just a handful of times over the past year.
Allegations of unprofessional conduct
The journalist also describes a troubling incident during a recent family visit, where the presence of a psychologist, Major Tarana Guliyeva, raised concerns. Rather than facilitating a supportive environment, Hasanli felt the psychologist’s role was intrusive, as she observed the meeting instead of stepping aside. This prompted Hasanli to question the appropriateness of such arrangements, leading to a heated exchange with prison officials about the conditions of their visits.
Conditions and corruption in the detention system
In addition to these personal grievances, Hasanli paints a bleak picture of the broader issues plaguing the Azerbaijani penal system, including corruption and inadequate conditions for prisoners. He cites instances of extortion upon arrival at prison and highlights the dire state of quarantine facilities, where detainees are often held in unsanitary conditions. The overcrowding in BIT, which houses approximately 4,000 prisoners despite being designed for 2,500, exacerbates the already challenging circumstances. Hasanli emphasizes that many prison officials seem unaware of the relevant laws and regulations governing their roles, contributing to an atmosphere of impunity and abuse.
Reflecting on the troubling similarities between his experiences and those of political prisoners in Iran during the 1980s, Hasanli criticizes the prevailing culture of fear and repression within the Azerbaijani state apparatus. He contends that such practices undermine the fundamental values of justice and human rights, drawing a stark parallel between historical injustices and the current treatment of journalists and political dissidents in Azerbaijan.
Ongoing investigations and arrests
The letter also touches on the recent arrests connected to AbzasMedia, which has been recognized for its investigative work into corruption. Following the detention of Hasanli and his colleagues, the outlet has faced intensified scrutiny and claims of illicit activities, which Hasanli vehemently denies. The Azerbaijani government has been criticized for using legal mechanisms to silence dissent and restrict freedom of expression.
Hasanli concludes with a call for accountability and reform, urging those in power to address the systemic issues within the penitentiary system and respect the rights of prisoners and journalists alike. The Penitentiary Service has not yet responded to Hasanli’s allegations.
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