Georgia Reluctant to Reopening U.S. Citizen Murder Case
Michael Pullara, the lawyer who represents the family of Freddy Woodruff, a murdered officer of the political department of the US Embassy in Tbilisi, insists that his clients’ case be reopened; but the Georgian authorities show no signs of willingness to re-examine the mysterious murder case.
Freddy Woodruff, who reportedly was a CIA agent, was shot in August 1993 in his car outside Tbilisi. Police arrested Georgian serviceman Anzor Sharmaidze, who was accused of Woodruff?s murder and consequently sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.
But lawyer Michael Pullara claims new evidence has appeared in the case which will clear Sharmaidze, who Pullara believes innocent.
Pullara specially attended a meeting President Mikhail Saakashvili held with students at the Tbilisi State Technical University on November 16, to ask the President whether the Georgian authorities will reopen the case.
?Our main goal is justice. But can you imagine what would have been the reaction of the audience if some Georgian would ask this kind of question to my friend [U.S. President] George Bush? We should respect each others laws. Georgia is a small country, but we have our procedures and rules,? President Saakashvili responded.
In May the Georgian General Prosecutor?s Office rejected an appeal by Woodruff?s family to re-examine the murder case.
