ECHR Hearing of Asanidze’s Case Started

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) held today a hearing on the merits in
the case of Tengiz Asanidze, who is currently in custody in Batumi, Adjara
Autonomous Republic.

Asanidze appealed the ECHR claiming that his
detention is unlawful and that he has no effective remedy available from the
national courts to secure his release.

The applicant was the mayor of
the town of Batumi. He was arrested on 4 October 1993 and charged with illegal
financial dealings in the Batumi Tobacco Manufacturing Company.

In 1994
he was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment and orders were made for the
confiscation of his assets. Asanidze was given a pardon by President
Shevardnadze in 1999, but was not released by the local authorities of Adjara.

In 1999 the applicant, who remained in custody despite the presidential
pardon, was charged in a new case and sentenced to twelve-years’ imprisonment by
the Highest Court of the Adjarian Autonomous Republic.

Although his
conviction was quashed by the Georgian Supreme Court, however he remains in the
custody of the Adjarian authorities. His health is deteriorating, and he has now
been held at Batumi, in a cell for remand prisoners at the local security
ministry, for nearly three years.

According to the ECHR’s press release after the hearing the Court will begin
its deliberations, which are held in private. A judgement will be delivered at a
later date.

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