Davit Khomeriki

Apprehended

Tortured

Violence

Prisoner

D. Khomeriki

Davit
Khomeriki

«This too shall pass!»
—Davit Khomeriki

26-year-old Davit Khomeriki, a musician and vocalist for the rock band 'The Sinners', was arrested on Tamarashvili Street on December 2, 2024. The prosecutor's office accuses him of preparing an explosion, which is punishable by 4 to 7 years of imprisonment under articles 18-229 of the Criminal Code.

According to the official version of the arrest, Khomeriki and his brother, Zuka Khomeriki, were attempting to block the road on Tamarashvili Street. During the arrest, 'Molotov cocktails' were found in Davit's backpack. The prosecutor told Radio Liberty: 'Cloth wicks were wrapped around the bottles, which were soaked in flammable liquid; the expert determined that it was an incendiary device.'

«Davit Khomeriki does not admit guilt in any part and believes that he is one of the participants in the series of political arrests and an object of punishment, like the others »
—Lawyer Ana Gakhokidze

The actions of law enforcement agencies proved to be quite controversial. The police indicated in the arrest report that Khomeriki had an explosive device in his backpack. However, according to the lawyers, Khomeriki signed the search report under pressure. Lawyer Shota Tutberidze stated: 'At the police station, Davit was subjected to both physical and psychological violence, starting with threats of detention and ending with threats of sexual violence.' They also question the expert's conclusion, according to which, the substance is only flammable and not explosive. Lawyer Shota Tutberidze says: 'The expert's report does not say that it was an incendiary substance, it says that the substance in the bottle was flammable.'

During the court hearing, Prosecutor Lasha Todua stated that Khomeriki had searched for information on how to make 'Molotov cocktails' beforehand and made them himself. However, according to the lawyers, 'at this stage, the prosecutor's office has not presented any evidence to confirm this.' They also question the qualification of the charge, as, in their opinion, possession of a flammable substance does not mean preparing an explosion. Lawyer Shota Tutberidze says: 'In our opinion, the charge of preparing an explosion, instead of transportation, was presented to him because they did not want us to exercise our right to a jury trial.'

«At the police station, Davit was subjected to both physical and psychological violence, starting with threats of detention and ending with threats of sexual violence. »
—Lawyer Shota Tutberidze

Lawyers believe that the case is politically motivated and Khomeriki's arrest is related to his participation in protest rallies. They also note that the police did not record the search process on video, which raises suspicions of so-called 'planting' of evidence. The defense emphasizes that no fire-starting device was found in Khomeriki's backpack, and even the expert noted that the substance was not flammable. Lawyer Ana Gakhokidze says: 'The expert, even on the hypothetical discovered items, wrote that the form in which it was removed from the backpack was not a flammable or fire-hazardous substance. Additional measures were needed for it to become such. No means of igniting fire, which are written in the search record, were removed from that backpack.'

Davit Khomeriki does not admit guilt and exercises his right to remain silent. His lawyers demand the termination of the case and believe that their client is innocent. Ana Gakhokidze says: 'Davit Khomeriki does not admit guilt in any part and believes that he is one of the participants in the series of political arrests and an object of punishment, like the others.'

Given the circumstances of the case, questions arise about the legality and objectivity of the actions of law enforcement agencies. The fact that the police did not present video footage of the search process is particularly suspicious, which casts doubt on the credibility of the prosecution's evidence. Also, the lawyers' interpretation of the expert's conclusion, where they emphasize the difference between 'flammable' and 'explosive' substances, is presented as a significant legal argument.

There is public concern about the practice of politically motivated arrests, which undermines trust in the judicial system. Davit Khomeriki's case once again emphasizes the need for fair and transparent judicial processes, especially when the case involves significant public interest.

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