On 6 March 1995, a major political trial ended in Georgia’s Supreme Court. Two of the defendants in case 7493810 were sentenced to death; the others received prison sentences of up to 14 years. The defendants were accused of involvement in violent crimes including murder and terrorism. However, all allege that they were tortured or ill-treated during interrogation and that their confessions were extracted under duress. They were in pre-trial detention for 17 months and the trial lasted another 17 months; throughout the judicial proceedings, numerous violations of due legal process were reported. This report gives the background to case 7493810, detailing the concerns AI has raised repeatedly with the authorities. AI’s concern about the death sentences imposed is discussed in the context of Georgia’s recent return to use of the death penalty.
