On January 16, 2018, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria visited the Pankisi Gorge in the Kakheti region and held meetings with the elders, youth and teachers of the local community. The aim of the visit was to study the events developed during and after the special operation conducted in the Gorge on December 26, 2017, and exchange information with locals.

The Public Defender asks the Georgian authorities to pay attention to several important issues outlined at the meetings.

Among them is the case of Temirlan Machalikashvili, who died as a result of the special operation carried out in the Pankisi Gorge. Nino Lomjaria met with the family of Machilikashvilis, personally offered her sympathy to the family members and listened to their demand about objective investigation of the case.

See the outcome of the Public Defender's meetings in the Pankisi Gorge