On February 3, 2018, Rustavi 2 (TV company) made reportage regarding Mustafa Emre Çabuk’s case and possible consequences for Georgia in case Çabuk is extradited to Turkey. The journalist (Tamar Chavchavadze) has interviewed several member of the EU parliament and touched not only upon Çabuk’s case but also Afghan Mukhtarli’s case and informal rule in Georgia.

While commenting on Çabuk’s case, Heidi Hautala, MEP, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance outlined: “To me, this seems a politically motivated case from the side of Turkey. In case Çabuk is extradited, he will face a huge danger. Thus, it is really a test for Georgia but still there is a last instance – Strasbourg Court, which can really correct/fix everything. I cannot say anything in advance but I think, Georgian government should think what will happen to Çabuk in case he is returned to Turkey”. In the reportage, the journalist is emphasizing that influential European politicians can see the dangers that Mustafa Emre Çabuk has to face in Turkey. Therefore, Brussels is trying to explain to Georgian government why it should not sacrifice Çabuk for torture in Turkey.

Heidi Hautala: “I find it very regrettable if Georgia will prioritize to maintain peaceful/good relations with Turkey. Of course, Turkey is an important partner for Georgia but the rule of law and the right to free trial, which Çabuk should have, stands above anything”. The journalist outlined that Rebecca Harms, MEP Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, met with Mustafa Emre Çabuk in Gldani prison. She remembers several emotional details from her meeting with Çabuk.

The journalist emphasized that Rebecca Harms does not believe in accusations made by the Turkish side, therefore, she persuades the Georgian government to save Çabuk and save Georgia’s reputation on the international arena as well.

Rebecca Harms: “For me, it is completely unacceptable when you describe someone as a terrorist or supporter of revolt, only because he was a head of school in Georgia. In case Çabuk is extradited to Turkey, he will have to face terrible conditions in prison. Georgians should not take responsibility on themselves through extraditing this person and sacrificing him for torture in the prison. These schools have existed long time and were supported by the Georgian government. After the failed revolt in Turkey, suddenly all the teachers and all people who were active in Demireli schools, were portrayed as terrorists and organizers of the revolt. For me, this is not convincing. This is a massive persecution and it should not happen in democratic countries”. By the end of the reportage, the journalist says that now the fate of Çabuk is in the hands of the Georgian government. Before the Turkish teacher is extradited to Turkey, Brussels is trying to stop the process. EU politicians remember very well Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Mukhtarli who could not be saved. He was abducted from the center of Tbilisi and was taken to Baku’s prison. In the EU’s resolution, the Georgian government was severely criticized because of Mukhtarli’s case. Now the Brussels is announcing that in case Çabuk is extradited to Turkey, the reaction will be much acute. Another Member of the EU parliament, Ana Gomes, MEP, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, is recorded by Rustavi 2. She mentions that Georgian government knows very well what kind of situation is in Turkish prisons. So, it will be very difficult to justify the extradition to Turkey within the legal frameworks.

While commenting on Mukhtarli’s case, Rebecca Harms says: “Mukhtarli’s case is already a very acute problem because he was kidnapped from the center of Tbilisi, was illegally taken to Baku and was sentenced many years in prison. Now Azerbaijanians have to deal with criticisms from Europeans. But it should be also said that this kidnap would not be possible without Georgians”. In the end, journalist is saying that the criticisms from European politicians is not confined to interviews and resolutions only. Next week, groups of European politicians are travelling to Georgia to persuade the Georgian government. The main topic of discussion will be the case of Mustafa Emre Çabuk. Apart from the above-mentioned cases, the journalist asked MEPs regarding former prime-minster of Georgia – Bidzina Ivanishvili and informal rule in Georgia.

Heidi Hautala: “I see informal rule in number of countries, including Georgia. You have an oligarch who has complete power, of course, I mean Mr. Ivanishvili. Since there are questions regarding the influences, then the governance/rule is not transparent and trustworthy. In democratic countries, the structures should be transparent”. In the end, the journalist is saying that at the moment, Georgia is getting recommendations from the EU regarding Mustafa Emre Çabuk’s case but it is not known exactly what will be the political implications in case these recommendations are not taken into account. Georgia might get more serious consequences than it was in the case of Afghan Mukhtarli.