Ex police officer admits to fabrication of high profile crime scene, names accomplices

One of the men accused of fabricating the crime scene of the death of Buta Robakidze in November 2004 has pled guilty and named his accomplices.

At today’s court hearing Zura (Zaza) Bakradze said the weapon and ammunition that was put in Robakidze’s car were brought from police stations.

On the night of November 23, police stopped a vehicle with Robakidze and four others inside. Robakidze was shot and later died, while the other four survived but were charged with illegal possession of a weapon and ammunition. The young men claimed the weapon had been placed in their car by police after they discovered Robakidze had died.

According to Bakradze, he and other police officials Irakli Pirtskhalava, Davit Iashvili and Levan Gvazava made a decision to cover up the real reason behind Robakidze’s death and put the entire blame on the young men in order to save the public image of police.

I was told that a man had died as the patrol police had shot him accidentally. I then said: well, the case is open, arrest him…”, Bakradze said. He then told the court that an individual he identified as Zurab Mikadze told him the young men did not have guns.

And everything became clear to me that the crime scene should be fabricated”, he added

Then spokesperson of interior ministry Guram Donadze later shot footage of the fabricated crime scene, which he later released via a special TV program about the patrol police’s activities.

At that time it was reported that Robakidze and his armed friends resisted police and the police were forced to open fire on the young men. However as the case was investigated later on, suspicions arose that the police had lied about what happened and that Robakidze was, in fact, deliberately killed.

Although the policeman who shot Robakidze was convicted, Robakidze’s family has actively campaigned since the young man's death to ensure everyone involved in falsifying the crime scene be severely punished. The family alleged the crime scene was fabricated by bringing in Kalashnikov assault rifles in an attempt to portray the victims as being armed criminals.

Admitting that he personally took part in the falsification of the crime scene, Bakradze claimed everything he has said at today’s hearing is true, and that he is ready to accept charges of giving false testimony and misleading the court.