Parliamentary inquiry deliberates on facts of torture, inhuman treatment, violation of right to life of Sulkhan Molashvili 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 Wednesday held a hearing focusing on the facts of torture, inhuman treatment and violation of the right to life of of Sulkhan Molashvili, the former Head of the Chamber of Control.

During the session, Tamaz Molashvili, the father of Sulkhan Molashvili, provided harrowing testimony regarding his son’s treatment during and after the arrest.

Key allegations presented by Tamaz Molashvili included political motivation for the arrest.

Sulkhan Molashvili, the Head of the Chamber of Control, during the tenure of Mikheil Saakashvili as Justice Minister, audited the Ministry and revealed numerous breaches of budgetary expenditures.

As Tamaz Molashvili pointed out, this was the reason why Mikheil Saakashvili, after being elected as the President of Georgia, ordered the arrest of Sulkhan Molashvili in personal revenge.

According to Tamaz Molashvili, Sulkham Molashvili was subjected to torture within his prison cell. He was deprived of a chair, adequate lighting, and proper ventilation. Additionally, he was provided with subpar nutrition. Medical treatment was only administered to him after he became hepatitis C positive, approximately 11 months after his diagnosis.

As reported by Tamaz Molashvili, in exchange for withdrawing the claim from the European Court of Human Rights, he was promised that his other son would be appointed to a high position within the Interior Ministry, which was declined by the family.

Consequently, he was apprehended and compelled to recant his claim before the European Court of Human Rights in exchange for his release.

Additionally, in response to the demands of the Prosecutor of Tbilisi Valeri Grigalashvili, the family acquired a cottage house in Tskneti in exchange for the release of Sulkhan Molashvili.

However, despite the acquisition of the cottage, the pledge was never fulfilled. Consequently, within two days, the family was compelled to cede the cottage to the state under the guise of “dekulakization”.

As Tamaz Molashvili observed, his son, Sulkhan Molashvili, succumbed to a protracted and agonizing demise.

According to Thea Tsulukiani, the Chair of the Commission, this case will be reflected in the conclusion of the Commission.

“The case of Sulkhan Molashvili will be one of the cases that, as I sincerely hope, will be used by the Constitutional Court in its Order prohibiting Mikheil Saakashvili and others from engaging in political activities”, she underscored.