Special Penitentiary Service releases video footage concerning convicted prisoner Giorgi Chikvaidze

The Special Penitentiary Service released a video footage concerning convicted prisoner Giorgi Chikvaidze.

According to the agency, “To inform the public and given the high level of public interest, the Special Penitentiary Service is making public footage obtained through video surveillance in G. Chikvaidze’s cell, where, according to statements by the convicted prisoner and those around him, G. Chikvaidze was allegedly subjected to inappropriate treatment.”

“The video footage covers episodes from September 20-22, 2025, which show the convicted prisoner receiving food several times a day with his cellmates, both that provided under the food rations for accused/convicted persons and that purchased from the shop located on the premises of the penitentiary facility.

On September 22, 2025 (at midday), G. Chikvaidze was offered food determined according to the menu established for accused/convicted persons with liver disease in accordance with the joint order of the Minister of Justice of Georgia and the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia ‘On Determining the Nutrition and Sanitary-Hygienic Standards for Accused and Convicted Persons’, of which the convicted prisoner agreed to accept only the cutlet (without a side dish).

Convicted prisoner G. Chikvaidze has been on the dietary menu designated for accused/convicted persons with liver disease since September 17, 2025. According to this menu, on September 22, 2025, at 13:35, food (a cutlet) was delivered to him. A cutlet was not included in his cellmates’ menu on September 22, 2025.

We would additionally clarify that none of G. Chikvaidze’s cellmates require dietary food. They receive food according to the menu-schedule established by the aforementioned order ‘for convicted persons in closed-type and special risk deprivation of freedom facilities and for accused persons held in remand facilities’.

Consequently, the cutlet delivered to convicted prisoner G. Chikvaidze was intended solely for him, and it did not represent a ration intended for three people.

The Penitentiary Service expresses its readiness to act, if necessary, in accordance with the conditions for hunger-striking accused/convicted persons in penitentiary facilities in relation to convicted prisoner G. Chikvaidze,” the Special Penitentiary Service stated.

A Tbilisi City Court has sentenced Giorgi Chikvaidze to nine years in prison for his role in an embezzlement case in May 2025. He was found guilty of misappropriating funds through abuse of official position as part of an organised group. The court heard that their actions caused financial damage amounting to GEL 1,155,019 (approximately USD 420,840).