Parliamentary inquiry continues reviewing cases of property rights violations, inhuman treatment under former United National Movement Gov’t

The Temporary Investigative Commission of the Parliament examining alleged crimes committed by the former United National Movement Government between 2003 and 2012 on Thursday held its latest session.

The Commission heard testimony from businessman Ramaz Akhvlediani, owner of Lisi Lake, regarding violations of property rights.

According to Akhvlediani, in 2004, following threats made by Tbilisi’s then Deputy Mayor Teimuraz Kurkhuli, he was coerced into forming a joint-stock company alongside Mamuka Khazaradze, a representative of TBC Bank, and Dutch investor Bob Meijer, Khazaradze’s business partner.

He stated that on November 4, 2006, under pressure from the Financial Police, he was forced to submit a written request for the termination of a lease agreement, which had previously transferred to him ownership of buildings and structures surrounding Lisi Lake - properties he had already purchased.

Akhvlediani further testified that he was told at the Financial Police that then-President Mikheil Saakashvili had a personal interest in the Lisi Lake property and had tasked the head of the Financial Police David Kezerashvili with resolving the matter.

In 2010, Akhvlediani’s seized assets were transferred via direct sale to the LLC Lisi Lake Development, a company established by Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze, and Bob Meijer. He asserted that the transferred assets, along with new ones on the Lisi Lake premises, were handed over under more favourable conditions. In 2012, a representative of Khazaradze contacted him, requesting the transfer of a license and environmental permit issued for operations at the lake.

The Commission also heard from Kakha Dabrundashvili, who testified about being subjected to inhuman treatment.

Dabrundashvili recounted that in September 2005, he and his friend Vamekh Abulashvili were abducted at gunpoint by officers from the Department of Constitutional Security. They were taken near the Okrokana cemetery, where dozens of armed individuals physically assaulted them. He claimed the operation was led by Data Akhalaia, Geronti Alania, and Oleg Melnikov.

Following the assault, Dabrundashvili stated that Data Akhalaia pointed a firearm at them and asked them to choose who would die first. They were warned not to report the incident to anyone, including medical professionals, under threat of harm to their families.

Dabrundashvili said that Abulashvili was in such a grave condition that his mother took him to a hospital, but the facility refused to admit him, allegedly due to prior instructions given to all medical institutions. As a result of the assault, Dabrundashvili became a first-degree invalid, while his friend lost an eye.

Also joining the session remotely from Ksani Penitentiary No. 15 was inmate Kakha Maghlakelidze.

Maghlakelidze stated that he had been imprisoned since 2003 and served time in various correctional facilities. He described a pattern of constant severe beatings, cases of inmate deaths, overcrowded cells, and poor food and medical services.

He claimed that one of the beatings left him with a spinal injury, for which he is still undergoing treatment.

Former MP Givi Targamadze was also summoned to testify at today’s session but failed to appear.

Commission Chair Tea Tsulukiani proposed that the members postpone discussions concerning Targamadze until the next session.

“I suggest we await Givi Targamadze’s response. Anything can happen - he may be ill or otherwise indisposed for valid reasons. If no such reason is provided by Tuesday, we will address the matter at the start of the next session and hold a vote on whether to refer the case to the Prosecutor’s Office”, Tsulukiani stated.