Penitentiary Service responsible for ex-security official’s safety – Justice Minister

The country’s Penitentiary Service is responsible for safety of arrested former deputy head of the country’s State Security Service, Soso Gogashvili, Justice Minister Rati Bregadze said on Thursday, in comments on the allegations of Gogashvili that his and his family members’ lives were “endangered”. 

“Currently, the cameras are working and the penitentiary service is responsible for the physical security of the prisoner Soso Gogashvili, – said Bregadze.

“I confirmed the fact that Mr. Gogashvili’s family members were in prison. This was a form of encouragement, because his behavior was very positive”, Bregadze said, contradicting the statements that the current state officials were threatening Gogashvili and demanding a “desired testimony” from him. 

Gogashvili was arrested on July 16, 2022 in his home on three charges. The investigation accuses him of tampering with personal data, exceeding his authority and illegal acquisition and storage of firearms. 

 

Gogashvili and his family members claim that during the arrest the former official was ill-treated,and that arms and files were planted on him as the former official were accusing the authorities of rigging elections and other alleged offenses, claiming to have “evidence