Author of video about torture in prison goes on hunger strike in Georgia

Vladimir Bedukadze, the author of the video showing acts of torture applied to inmates of a Georgian prison, has announced a hunger strike demanding a fair trial of his case by the court, which runs from March 4 in the closed regime.

According to Bedukadze, his case is being considered non-objectively. He began his hunger strike on March 7 in the office of the NGO "My Georgia" and demands a meeting with the Ombudsman, Chief Public Prosecutor, foreign diplomats and representatives of international and non-governmental organizations.

"My action is not directed against Bidzina Ivanishvili and today's authorities. My protest has to do with particular persons, who ran inquiry into the prison video, and with Georgian courts, which are still under the influence of Saakashvili," the "Georgia Online" quotes Mr Bedukadze as saying.

As reported by Eliso Kiladze, the head of the organization "My Georgia", Judge Vazha Pukhashvili had decided, based on the content of the case, to run the trial closed for the public.

"Judge Pukhashvili has announced that, despite the high public interest in the case, the trial considers facts of sexual abuse and episodes from personal life that degrade one's dignity; therefore, he decided to close the process," said Kiladze, as quoted information portal "Tbilisi Week".