Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani expressed his condolences following the tragic collapse of a residential building facade on Tevdore Mghvdeli Street in Tbilisi on July 14, which resulted in casualties.
In a public statement, Ioseliani extended sympathy to the families and loved ones of the victims.
He noted that, according to Tbilisi City Hall, the building had been classified as third-category dilapidated. “For years, residents of structurally compromised buildings have appealed to the Public Defender’s Office about their right to live in a safe environment,” the statement reads.
Despite the existence of a municipal replacement programme for such buildings, many families are still forced to live in hazardous conditions. Ioseliani emphasized that these structures endanger not only residents but also passersby and workers nearby. “Cases studied over the years show that this systemic issue demands timely and effective action—something current legislation and programmes have failed to ensure.”
The Public Defender’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident and will assess whether the rights of residents and citizens to a safe living environment were upheld, and what actions have been or will be taken by the responsible authorities.
