The European Court of Human Rights must make a decision on Vano Merabishvili`s case today. It"s about the episode of his withdrawal from the cell. The conclusion issued by the Grand Chamber should be published on the official website of the Court at about half past two Tbilisi time.

According to the lawyer of the former prime minister of Georgia, if Strasbourg confirms that the state has violated Article 18 of the Human Rights Convention, it will confirm that Merabishvili is a political prisoner and the government will be obliged to release him.

"Vano Merabishvili"s case will be the first and historic case, in case of any outcome, the main expectation that I have is that the court decision will, of course, be objective and justified. More importantly, if the Grand Chamber finds a violation of Article 18, it means that Vano Merabishvili is political prisoner and the government should take a counter-step and release Merabishvili from illegal imprisonment, "- said Oto Kakhidze.