“Several” Inmates Die in Prison Riot

Several inmates died and at least two policemen were injured as a result of a clash which occurred in the 5th prison in Tbilisi on March 27, Justice Minister Gia Kavtaradze said on Monday.

“It was a well-planned riot and an attempt of jailbreak which started at 2:30 am [on March 27]… This well-planned riot was organized by “thieves in law” [criminal bosses]… I can declare that we have prevented a jailbreak, which posed a serious threat to our citizens… The special purpose unit warned rioters for several times to stop [disorders], but they refused, as a result the special purpose unit launched a special operation, which lasted for two hours. Several inmates died and two policemen were injured and ten [policemen] were slightly wounded,” Gia Kavtaradze said at a news conference early on March 27, but he did not specify exact number of those who died.

He said that the riot in 5th prison was a part of “a large-scale well-planned provocation” as similar riots and jailbreaks were planned in other detention centers of the country.

Gia Kavtaradze also said that firearms were found in the prison. “The investigation will find out how these arms penetrated in the jail,” he added.

He said that the prison building is “significantly damaged,” as doors of cells are destroyed. “So now we are distributing inmates in other jails,” Kavtaradze added.

The Justice Minister also said that the law enforcers had information about planned riot on March 25 and as evidence Gia Kavtaradze presented a video footage shot by hidden camera. The footage shows persons, described by the Justice Minister as criminal bosses, instructed an unknown person to organize riots in the prison.

Public Defender Sozar Subari told RFE/RL Georgian service on March 27 that “rumors about planned prison riots have been circulating for a long time already.” He said that these rumors emerged after a reform envisaging separation of criminal bosses from other inmates was launched.

The Justice Minister also said that the riot was against the reforms in penitentiary system. “We will continue our reforms in order to impose a full control over prisons,” Gia Kavtaradze said.

Meanwhile, relatives of inmates who spent all night outside the 5th prison were desperately trying to get information about developments in the jail accusing the special purpose units and prison authorities of using excessive force against rioters.

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