The Ombudsman visited Ex-PM Vano Merabishvili at prison

The Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili visited Ex-PM Vano Merabishvili at so called Matrosov prison.  

As he said after the meeting with Merabishvili, the conversation with him was about the statement made by him yesterday.  

"We have talked for a half an hour and Merabishvili told the details of the incident happened some days ago. He is surprised that the investigation has not started yet. He is ready to cooperate with the investigation and provide detailed information, Nanuashvili told journalists.

According to him, starting investigation in regard to the Ex-PMs statement is necessary in order to ensure all existing questions are answered.    

"I think that after the investigation process will start, more questions will arise why there is no reaction to Merabishvilis statement. It is necessary that any other allegations about pressure to be investigated, Nanuashvili added.  

Vano Merabishvili  accused  the Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze of using pressure and threats. Merabishvili made a statement about this during his trial on December 17. According to him, early Saturday morning, he was taken to the Department of Penitentiary System secretly and asked to disclose information about the death of former PM Zurab Zhvania and the financial account of the Ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. Merabishvili refused further participation in court hearings and also prohibited his lawyers from participating.

The former PMs statement was followed with debates and allegations between the ruling party and UNM. The opposition demands that the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance to make the prison surveillance recordings public, in order to find out whether or not Merabishvili did leave his cell. The parliamentary majority, however, argues that the recording could be only published in accordance with the law. They also believe that the investigation has to be carried out in regard to Merabishvilis statement and the offender punished appropriately.