PM Gakharia: ‘no time to politicize tragedies, it’s time for concrete steps’

Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia once again responded to the death of a minor on December 17 and stated that there is no time for politicizing tragedies as concrete, further steps must be taken for the welfare of children. 

What the state does in terms of systemic reforms or the improvement of the education field, everything which is in touch with the youth must be even more effective, target-oriented and prevent such tragedies,” Gakharia has stated earlier today, during the governmental meeting. 

• PM vows tough punishment for those involved in minor’s death

The PM vowed that “no question marks” will remain over the case after the investigation is 

completed by the State Inspector’s Office, an independent agency which investigates alleged offences committed by law enforcers. 

All the state agencies have been instructed to closely cooperate with the State Inspector’s Office. However, we should also make certain conclusions. We should act faster and systemically in terms of juvenile justice and relevant state agencies have also been instructed in this regard,” Gakharia said. 

State Inspector Londa Toloraia also vowed that no question marks will remain over the death of a 15-year-old boy. Photo: State Inspector's Office. 

Gakharia stated that the Interior Ministry must ensure the creation of an appropriate environment for the interrogation of minors. 

• Police dismiss allegations of alleged pressure on minor leading to suicide attempt

The Education Ministry, with other state bodies, must take further steps to ensure the high-qualification of all state servants of individuals who will have to be in touch with minors. The role of the Education  Ministry is particularly high in prevention of incidents regarding minors,” Gakharia said. 

He stated that the Justice Ministry must ensure the legal protection of minors when they have problems with the law, while the Health Ministry must provide psychological support. 

The state, especially the Ministry of Justice, has taken huge steps in terms of juvenile justice. However, the state must take the following steps swiftly,” Gakharia stated. 

 He said that a later today a special meeting will take place at the administration building of the government of Georgia, with the involvement of specialists, NGOs and state agencies to address the issues related to minors. 

Several ministries have been instructed to present plans to ensure better protection of minors. Photo: government's press office. 

• 15-year-old Luka Siradze died in a hospital due to injuries he received after attempting suicidde on December 11. 
• The family says that police exercised psychological pressure on the minor when he was interrogated for allegedly damaging a private school property in Tbilisi and painting vulgar words on its wall. 
• Investigator Mariana Choloiani has been detained for exercising alleged pressure on the minor, the charge she denies. 
•  State Inspector Londa Toloraia has pointed at problems in a school, not only in the police which could have pushed the minor to suiccide.