Corrections Minister: Disturbance at Geguti prison was unnecessary

Georgia’s Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance Sozar Subari incriminates friends of criminal mentality inmates as responsible for the protest beside the Geguti prison.

Before going into a Government meeting this morning, Subari told reporters the prison territory was currently in peace and "the disturbance started for nothing and it ended for nothing”.

He also noted that much more noise was made by the media and people outside the prison, compared to what actually was happening.

"A few dozen people, not the parents of the prisoners but friends of the criminal mentality inmates, were coming and creating a fuss,” Subari said.

"An investigation has started and everyone who broke the law, including those who were not letting ambulances pass and others who tried to rush into the jail, will have to answer to the Prosecution,” the Minister said.

He added it was a crime if a person attempted to block the prison entrance when a sick person was trying to exit the facility.

Subari also added the investigation would look into prison employees who deliberately staged provocations and incited prisoners and their families.

"A large number of old employees do not want order to be established in the prisons. They were accustomed to the turmoil, torture and money-making schemes and want to continue this kind of behaviour but this will not happen,” Subari said.

He stressed those employees were the main culprits in this issue and said there were "quite a number of them”.

"Corrupt is corrupt and it does not matter when they were appointed. The majority of them are old employees, because firing 4,000 people at once could not be executed. However, there might be new employees included in this too,” Subari said.

A hunger strike involving prisoners at Geguti prison ended two days ago. The prisoners demanded the resignation of prison authorities. The prisoners said they would try other forms of protest.

The hunger strike began on February 6 in protest of being physically abused by prison staff. The strike was followed by protests outside the prison by relatives and friends of the inmates.