Georgia, Tbilisi, June 1 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili reopened the Rustavi Prison today. Saakashvili said it is not a pleasant event, but "unfortunately criminals must be kept in a prison, so children can safely walk around the city."
The prison meets international standards and was built in little over a year. It is designed for 2,000 inmates.
Saakashvili recalled the last time he was in the prison as justice minister in 2002. He noted that "prisoners ran their criminal groups from within the prison."
"It was an unorganized and shady building, which was lit by burning tires at night,"he said.
Saakashvili stressed that "now it's over" and the authorities clothe and feed well the prisoners.
He also expressed confidence that soon all Georgian prisons will meet international standards.
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