GEORGIAN DRIVER SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR INVOLVEMENT IN ARMENIA’S LARGEST DRUG BUST GOES ON HUNGER STRIKE
Kristine Aghalaryan
13:00, January 26, 2015
Avtandil Martiashvili, a Georgian citizensentenced to 17 years on
smuggling charges in Armenia’s largest drug bust, has been on hunger
strike since according to his lawyer.
Martiashvili was found guilty on January 20, 2015 for driving a truck
that was found to contain 850 kilos of heroin when inspected seized
at the Meghri customs house on January 17, 2014.
The Georgian has always maintained his innocence.
His defense attorney, Teymouraz Maytiashvili, also told Hetq that
when he visited his client in prison, he was told that there are 18
inmates in his cell and only 12 cots. The inmates sleep in turns,
the attorney was told by Martiashvili.
Maytiashvili told Hetq that he has spoken with the Georgian consular
general to Armenia and that the official plans to visit Martiashvili
in jail.
Gor Ghlechyan, spokesperson for Armenia’s Department of Corrections,
has told Hetq that Martiashvili is currently in a cell by himself
and under a medical watch.