GEORGIA: INJURED MUTINY ORGANIZERS STABLE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 000961 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL RU GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA: INJURED MUTINY ORGANIZERS STABLE, FAMILIES CLAIM HARASSMENT REF: TBILISI 951 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) Summary. The two mutiny suspects detained following a firefight yesterday, Levan Amiridze and Koba Otanadze, remain in stable condition in a government-controlled hospital, according to the press. According to the Ombudsman,s Office, Otanadze,s brother Nugzar Otanadze was arrested two weeks ago, immediately following the mutiny attempt, and held for questioning. The press reported May 22 that eight other Otanadze family members, including a baby, were detained and questioned by the police prior to the capture of the three organizers. The Ombudsman,s Office could not directly confirm the detention of these family members, but did add that another Otanadze brother, his wife and 19 year old son were detained on May 20 and released on May 21. The Ambassador raised this case with Minister of Internal Affairs Merabishvili May 22 and expressed concern about these detentions. The Minister confirmed that some of Otanadze,s family members had been detained on suspicion of aiding and abetting the fugitives, but noted that all have now been released and said that a press statement to this efect would be issued soon. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Deputy Ombudsman Giorgi Chkheidze told us that he visited Nugzar Otanadze during his two week detention. According to Chkheidze, Nugzar appeared to have been beaten, but he had been officially detained for resisting arrest. Chkheidze said that according to Nuzgar, Special Forces police come to his house a 3 am and demanded he open his door. When he refused, reportedly saying he would come with his attorney to the police station the next day, the police forcibly entered the house and took him into custody. ¶3. (C) Chkheidze said that he had seen press reports that eight additional members of Otanadze,s family had been detained, including an eight month old baby, but could not confirm the reports. He did add that a different Otanadze brother, Jimsher and his wife and son were detained on May 20 and then released on May 21. Chkheidze said that he had spoken with several officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, none of whom had additional information on this case, especially why and when the family members were arrested, and where they were held. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador raised this case with Minister of Internal Affairs Vano Merabishvili on May 22 and expressed concern about the detentions. Merabishvili said that the family members had been detained on charges of aiding and abetting the fugitives. When the Ambassador asked specifically about the baby, Merabishvili said that the baby's mother had insisted on taking her 13-month old baby with her to the police station. He confirmed that all the Otanadze family members have been released and noted that a press statement would be issued to this effect. TEFFT