Chiatura miners protest at Ministry of Health over detained colleagues

Chiatura miners are holding a protest outside the Ministry of Health, demanding the release of colleagues they say were unlawfully detained.

“Four of our colleagues have been unjustly imprisoned for seven months. During this time, no explanation has been provided for their detention. The men tried to prove their innocence, but were not given the opportunity to do so. The government is at the heart of this situation. Additionally, miners who were unlawfully dismissed must be reinstated,” said one of the protesters.

So far, the Ministry of Health has not responded to the protest.

The detained miners - Merab Saralidze, Giorgi Neparidze, Tengo Gvelesiani, and Achiko Chumburidze - were arrested on April 28. According to the investigation, the suspects allegedly assaulted the director of the Shukhruti mine, causing injuries to various parts of his body.

The investigation initially fell under Article 118, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to group-inflicted minor bodily harm. Later, charges against Merab Saralidze and Giorgi Neparidze were upgraded to Article 225, which involves organizing and participating in group violence and carries a prison sentence of 6 to 9 years.