Brussels, 21/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said on Thursday 20 September that she was “appalled” by the “shocking footage of abuses”, torture and sexual abuse committed against detainees in Gldani prison (Georgia). “All the countries are obliged to comply with the unconditional prohibition of any form of torture and ill-treatment”, she recalls, noting “that the government has taken the initial steps to address this matter”. She stresses that it is “of vital importance that these incidents are thoroughly and transparently investigated and that those responsible are held to account”. The Georgian president has promised to punish the guilty parties. The prison guards involved and the management have been arrested and police officers have taken surveillance of the prisoners in charge.
The president of the parliamentary assembly at the Council of Europe, Jean-Claude Mignon, said he was “shocked and horrified” by the images, judging these “atrocities” as “intolerable” in a member state of the Council of Europe.
Cascading resignations. After the resignation on Wednesday of the minister in charge of the prison system, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze, the minister for the interior, Bacho Akhalaia, resigned on Thursday, saying that he feels “moral and political responsibility” in the events. He was at the head of the prison administration from 2005-2008. On Tuesday a television channel from the opposition broadcast films made in this prison in the suburbs of Tbilisi, provoking scenes of violence and demonstrations. This affair comes when legislative elections are planned for 1 October. (CG/transl.fl)