Eight non-governmental organizations has demanded the State Inspector’s office investigate the recent murder of 24-year-old Murad Tsurtsumia who died in an incident involving Interior Ministry employee Zurab Popkhadze.

“The main aim of State Inspector’s office is to study alleged offences committed by law enforcers. One of the main demands of local organizations and international partners has been over the years such crimes to be investigated by an independent and politically neutral body.

We do not agree with the content of the statement of State Inspector’s office, which says that as the prosecution is investigating the case, it is beyond their competence to conduct investigation.

The State Inspector has the right to be fully acquainted with the case and apply to the Prosecutor’s Office to request transfer of the case”, - reads the statement.

The statement is signed by: Georgian Democratic Initiative, Human Rights Education and Monitoring Centre, Human Rights Centre, Transparency International Georgia, International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association, Open Society Georgia Foundation and Institute for Development of Freedom of Information.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Tsurtsumia and his brother attempted stealing Zurab Popkhadze’s car (employee of Interior Ministry) late on January 2, near a Dampalo cemetery, which led to a physical confrontation. Tsurtsumia died due to the injuries he received during an altercation with Popkhadze.