Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office has charged former Special Penitentiary Service Director General Giorgi Pataridze and former director of Penitentiary Facility No. 8 Ramaz Pirtskhalava in connection with an alleged assault on inmate Davit Peikrishvili. Five inmates have also been charged over their alleged involvement in the attack, Deputy Prosecutor General Amiran Guluashvili announced at a briefing.
According to the investigation, on October 16, 2026, three inmates – Vato Kipiani (also known as Vakhtang Zhvania), Shota Kipiani and Avtandil Bilanishvili – were transferred to Facility No. 8. At Vato Kipiani’s request, and allegedly on the instructions of Pataridze and the decision of Pirtskhalava, the three were placed in the same cell as Peikrishvili, along with inmate Davit Kacharava and convicted prisoner Pavle Gotsiridze, in violation of penitentiary regulations.
The Prosecutor’s Office says the five inmates physically assaulted Peikrishvili as a group, with the violence continuing until October 20. As a result, he sustained multiple injuries across his body, including four broken ribs, fractures of the transverse processes of vertebrae and a concussion. The injuries were classified as moderately serious, resulting in prolonged health impairment.
Pataridze has been charged with exceeding official powers, while Pirtskhalava faces charges of abuse of official authority. These offenses carry prison sentences of up to three years. The five inmates have been charged with intentionally causing moderately serious bodily harm as a group, punishable by four to six years in prison. The Prosecutor’s Office said it will apply to the court for preventive measures within the legally prescribed timeframe. The investigation is ongoing. Pataridze resigned as head of the Special Penitentiary Service on October 26, 2026.
