Parliamentary inquiry deliberates on facts of three young men’s murder during Navtlugi special operation under UNM Gov’t

The Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission examining crimes committed by the former United National Movement Government between 2003 and 2012 on Friday held a hearing focusing on murders of the young men during the Navtlugi special operation.

During the session, Mikheil Artmeladze, the father Marad Artmeladze, said that on January 12, 2006, Data Akhalaia orchestrated a clandestine operation resulting in the fatal shooting of three unarmed young men - his son, Roman Surmanidze, and Shota (Murad) Gorgadze - without prior warning.

He further alleged that Data Akhalaia even fired a control shot at the deceased individuals.

According to Artmeladze, law enforcement officers, to get justified, placed the firearms near the shot boys, fabricating their alleged participation in the terrorist acts and urged that these individuals were eliminated during the gunfight.

As he highlighted, all three young men were accused of attempting to assault the Rustavi Penitentiary Department.

In his assessment, Artmeladze noted that his son and two of his friends were shot down for the purpose of intimidating others, and he was even prohibited from expressing any information about the incident.

He further added that the newly appointed authorities conferred upon him the status of an affected person, subsequently, the Courts of all three instances rendered a judgment of acquittal, thereby affirming the innocence of his son.

As Artmeladze said, the death of his son caused the demise of his wife.

The Commission also questioned Otar Surmanidze, the father of Roman Surmanidze, who was also shot down during the Navtlugi special operation.

During the session, Surmanidze noted that he intended to submit the application to the police department for the investigation of the tragic incident, however, he received a phone call threatening the elimination of his other children. This compelled him to collect his family and depart from Georgia in search of refuge in Turkey, only to return to his homeland after the Government’s change.

The Chair of the Commission Thea Tsulukiani underscored that the case of the three murdered boys would be reflected in the final conclusion.

“I would like to assure you that this case and the truth about your children will be clearly reflected in the conclusion. This will serve as the basis for the prohibition of the National Movement and its satellite members from the political arena through a claim to the Constitutional Court. This case will be incorporated into the legal proceedings initiated by the Georgian Dream authorities, with your unwavering support. The judgments of all three instances have been rendered, and the innocence of your children has been unequivocally confirmed. While it cannot alleviate the anguish and suffering you have endured, it is imperative that your sons should not be wrongly labelled by the perpetrators, it is vital for the dignity of your families and names, for the Ajara region, our country and public”, Tsulukiani said.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your time and dedication to attending the sitting. Your presence, as a representative of your esteemed family from your home region of Ajara, embodies the quintessential qualities that define our nation. Georgia’s strength lies in the unity and resilience of its regions, and Ajara’s contributions are invaluable to our collective well-being.

Tsulukiani further added that the Navtlugi special operation case was not solely the deliberate murder perpetrated by certain political officials, but rather an assault against Ajara, against dignity, while the Government strived to provide special attention to the Ajara region, particularly the mountainous Ajara.