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