KHIMSHIASHVILI v. GEORGIA

Communicated on 3 February 2017 FOURTH SECTIONApplication no. 43983/12Lasha KHIMSHIASHVILIagainst Georgialodged on 5 July 2012STATEMENT OF FACTSThe applicant, Mr Lasha Khimshiashvili, is a Georgian national who was born in 1991 and is currently residing in Nigazeuli village, Shuakhevi Region. He is represented before the Court by Mr P. Bolkvadze, a lawyer practising in Batumi.A.  The circumstances of the caseThe facts of the case, as submitted by the applicant, may be summarised as follows.On 17 June 2011 the applicant was charged with violating the law prohibiting people under the age of twenty-one from carrying a “cold weapon” (one which is not a firearm). In addition, he had a previous criminal record.At the pre-trial hearing the judge approved the list of evidence, none of which was disputed by the parties, and the applicant pleaded guilty.After unsuccessful negotiations with the pro …