Interior Ministry: several minors from Patriarchate’s boarding school have already been interrogated

Several minors from the Patriarchate’s boarding school in Ninotsminda have already been interrogated following allegations of violence in the school, reports the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA). 

Minors are involved in the investigation process in full compliance of the law and the best interests of the children. The Human Rights Protection and Investigation Quality Monitoring Department of MIA and witness and victim coordinators are involved in the ongoing investigation. Several minors have already been interrogated”, reports the press office of MIA.

• 16 children want to leave Patriarchate’s boarding school accused of abuse

In its statement MIA appeals to all media sources, which may possess interesting and necessary information for the investigation, to cooperate with the investigation and provide the ministry with information that will facilitate the process of a prompt and unbiased investigation.

Later after the statement Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said that the evidence in the case that has been collected based on interviews with witnesses, expert testimony and various investigative actions, doesn’t not show that a particular person has committed crime.

The Patriarchate’s Ninotsminda boarding school, which currently houses 47 children, has been under the spotlight for several months.

• Ombudswoman: Prosecutor’s Office investigating several cases of violence in Patriarchate’s boarding school

Georgian Pubic Defender Nino Lomjaria stated earlier this week that the country’s Prosecutor’s Office is investigating three cases of alleged violence and one case of alleged rape in the Ninotsminda boarding school.