Georgian policeman allegedly linked to man’s suicide surrenders

A policeman accused of exceeding official powers and inciting a person to commit suicide has surrendered to authorities.

District Inspector Investigator Goderdzi Tevzadze claimed he was innocent and announced a hunger strike after he surrendered to police yesterday.

Tevzadze is linked to an August 7 incident in western Georgia’s Samtredia district where a man committed suicide. Twenty-two-year-old Demur Sturia left a suicide note stating police officer Tevzadze was pressuring him.

On August 30 Kutaisi City Court imposed pre-trial detention on the alleged offender in absentia, as officer Tevzadze failed to appear in Court.

Meanwhile late yesterday Tevzadze visited Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office and claimed he was innocent. He said he hoped for a fair trial and announced he was starting a hunger strike in protest of the accusations against him.

I came here to protect a policeman’s uniform and prove my innocence,” Tevzadze said. 

Details of the August incident that led to the loss of a man’s life was explained by the Prosecutor’s Office. In a statement on August 29, the Office said Tevzadze, a regional District Inspector Investigator, summoned Sturua to the police station without any legal grounds to do so.

The Office said for the purpose of intimidating and influencing Sturua, Tevzadze unlawfully made him sit in his police car before taking him to a deserted area where he threatened the young man. The officer said he would implicate Sturua in a crime if he refused to cooperate with police.

Tevzadze allegedly then physically assaulted Sturua and forced him to provide police with information about which village residents grew marijuana.

An investigation is currently underway.