One year has passed since the tragedy, when two juveniles were killed on Khorava Street. This incident and subsequent events greatly influenced the public processes and demonstrated the necessity of carrying out reforms in the law enforcement system in various directions.

The Public Defender is summarizing the one year of investigation into the murder of juvenile Davit Saralidze that occurred on Khorava street on 1 December 2017 and expresses concern about the fact that the victims and the public still have no answers to many questions.

The public is aware that due to the significance of juveniles’ interests and particular urgency of the issue, the Public Defender's Office fully studied the so-called Khorava Street case and investigation materials of other criminal cases related to this case, monitored the main sessions of the parliamentary commission, examined the results of the commission’s work and the Parliament's resolution, met the accused minors, family members of the accused/currently convicted persons and the victims.

After studying and analyzing all of the above-mentioned information, the Public Defender found that the murder of juveniles had not been effectively investigated. The state did not conduct urgent, possible and reasonable investigative actions in order to obtain evidence, which indicate an alleged offence committed by the persons responsible for the investigation of the case.

Unfortunately, the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia did not implement the recommendation of the Public Defender to initiate an investigation into the alleged offences relating to the performance of official duties. In addition, according to the resolution of the Parliament of Georgia, the Prosecutor's Office was recommended to launch an examination and not an investigation into the alleged offences committed by the persons responsible for the investigation. As a result, the Prosecutor's Office launched an examination, which is still ongoing.

Despite the efforts of the Public Defender and the parliamentary fact-finding commission, the public does not have information on the implementation of the recommendations issued by the Parliament to the Prosecutor's Office. We believe that, based on the high public interest, the Prosecutor's Office should answer the questions of the society and publicize information on the investigation and examination. Accordingly, the Public Defender calls on the Prosecutor's Office to:

1. Provide public with information about the results of the ongoing examination, as well as the measures taken relating to the deficiencies indicated in the report of the parliamentary fact-finding commission and the Public Defender's proposal, at the end of each month;
2. Allow the Public Defender's Office to periodicly get fully acquainted with the materials of the ongoing examination;

The above serve the legitimate aim of accountability to the public and the public control of the performance of law enforcement agencies, as far as the lack of transparency and accountability cause similar gross violations by investigative officials, which eventually damage the fundamental human right.