Father of Machalikashvili killed in Pankisi refuses to believe investigators' version

On the grenade seized from Temirlan Machalikashvili killed during his detention in the Pankisi Gorge, experts found particles of his DNA, reported the Georgian State Security Service. Malkhaz Machalikashvili, a father of the killed man, pointed out inconsistencies in the official version concerning the details of the special operation and said the grenade had been planted to his son after his murder.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that 19-year-old Temirlan Machalikashvili was seriously wounded to his head during the special operation conducted in the Pankisi Gorge on December 26, 2017. He died in hospital on January 10. According to the State Security Service of Georgia, Temirlan Machalikashvili tried to throw a grenade at law enforcers and the special forces fighters opened fire at him. Relatives of the killed young man expressed their mistrust to the investigation. They claim that the young man was shot dead in his bed, and they repeatedly held protest actions.

On November 20, on the air of the Georgian "Imedi" TV Channel, Irakli Chimaladze, the head of the Counterterrorist Centre of the Georgian State Security Service, reported that on the grenade seized from the Machalikashvili house after the special operation, experts found DNA particles coinciding with the Temirlan Machalikashvili's DNA.

Malkhaz Machalikashvili, the father of Temirlan Machalikashvili, categorically denied the claim that at the time of the special operation, his son was holding the grenade in his hands.

"There was no grenade. It was brought after his murder," said Malkhaz Machalikashvili at a briefing on November 21 on the air of the Georgian "Rustavi-2" TV Company as quoted and translated by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to Malkhaz Machalikashvili, the family members were not allowed into the room in which the special operation took place for four hours, and during that time, the grenade was planted there. After he entered the room, the bed in which his son stayed was in blood, and his mobile phone was also in blood. However, there was not a single blood stain on the grenade.

"If he (Temirlan Machalikashvili) was holding the grenade in his hands, there should have been blood on it," the father said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 23, 2018 at 10:26 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.