The Interim Fact-Finding Commission on the Activities of the Regime and the Political Officials of the Regime of 2003-2012 discussed one of the cases of torture and pressure on business - “Besarion Khardziani Case”.

Prior to the consideration, the Commission members introduced the amendments to the Commission Articles to be submitted to the Bureau for ratification.

“At the plenary session, we voted for the amendments to the Rules of Procedure, which granted individual authority to Commission members to question any person, conclude protocols, and make audio recordings. As of now, over 200 applications have been submitted to the Commission. Therefore, you are entitled to question their authors individually, thereby accelerating the Commission’s activity. Additionally, the Articles of the Commission will specify that certain individuals may participate in the process remotely”, - said Tea Tsulukiani.

According to the Chair of the Commission, the Besarion Khardziani case is intricate, multifaceted, and comprises numerous components.

“Besarion Khardziani was a highly successful businessman who faced a critical period in 2011, during the rule of the National Movement, which involved the personal involvement of government representatives and the regime itself. Regrettably, he is no longer alive. Following the Georgian Dream’s assumption of authority, numerous legal proceedings have been initiated in this case, including civil actions, as a result of which the family has regained its property. Besarion Khardziani, subjected to torture and inhumane treatment, was compelled to relinquish his property while incarcerated. Furthermore, his case includes numerous instances of torture committed against Besarion Khardziani in the Gldani N8 Penitentiary Department. Additionally, he endured merciless pressure and inhumane treatment of his family members, primarily his children, wife, and siblings”, - Tea Tsulukiani stressed.

The Commission received a statement from Besarion Khardziani junior, the son of B. Khardziani, regarding the circumstances of the case involving Turtle Lake. As he explained, the issues surrounding Turtle Lake originated in 2006, when his father was summoned by the then Prosecutor General, Zurab Adeishvili, to pay a sum of 5 million USD in exchange for his father’s share in the management company of Turtle Lake. The reporter named other members of the National Movement who demanded payments from his father, as well as concessions of his shares in Turtle Lake and other businesses. He also brought to light the facts of torture, inhuman treatment, and mental pressure in the Gldani Penitentiary Department. According to him, Giorgi Udesiani was primarily interested in acquiring shares in Turtle Lake.

As the reporter added, Besarion Khardziani departed from the Penitentiary Department in December 2012. Had the political upheavals that transpired in October 2012 not occurred, the businessman would have likely served a significantly extended prison sentence, potentially resulting in his demise due to the machinations of certain individuals who sought his demise.

Zaza Gugava, a convict from the N12 Penitentiary Department, participated in an online panel discussion on Turtle Lake shares. Gugava responded to the questions posed during the session.

David Kvachantiradze, the Lawyer of Giorgi Udesiani was also invited to the Commission sitting to report on the issue of the power of attorney by Besarion Khardziani on the alienation of his shares in Turtle Lake.

The Commission members questioned Lamara Kobaladze, representing Besarion Khardziani’s rights in the legal proceedings concerning the property dispute.

In her legal action, she sought the Court’s declaration of the agreement as invalid, citing the coercive nature of its conclusion. The deal implied the issue of the power of attorney and the conclusion of the agreement on this basis.

As L. Kobaladze underlined, the court declared a power of attorney to be invalid and confirmed that it had been issued under duress. Consequently, the purchase agreement for the shares was declared invalid, and the shares were subsequently returned to the former owners.

At the end of the sitting, the Chair of the Commission, Tea Tsulukiani stated that the Commission schedules to further investigate the abovementioned case.

“Today, we delved into a substantial aspect of Besarion Khardziani’s case involving torture and coercion during his detention, which were employed to compel him to relinquish his property. Commission will engage in a deliberative process to address this case. This process will involve the formulation of written procedures for inquiry, examination of various documents, potential invitation of additional individuals to participate in the proceedings. We also intend to discuss specific cases, topics, or directions for our next meeting. Based on the effective communication with the individuals who will be invited by the Commission, we will select a date to convene next meeting”, - said Tsulukiani.