Ex-defense Minister of Georgia Sent to Pretrial Custody

According to today’s judgment of the Tbilisi City Court, Irakli Okruashvili, the former Defense Minister of Georgia, has been sent to pretrial custody.

The Prosecutor’s office demanded Imprisonment of Okruashvili, while his attorney requested his release on Gel 10 000 Bail.

 However, his request wasn't satisfied.

Irakli Okruashvili was officially charged today.

He was detained on July 25 on charges of organizing, leading and participating in mass violence during the unrests on the night of 20-21 June.

Four more persons – Moris Machalikashvili, Ilia Memarnishvili, Bejan Lortkiphanidze and Giorgi Kurdovanidze, detained on the same charges, have also been sent to custody.

One of the detainees, Moris Machalikashvili, is the nephew of Malkhaz Machalikashvili, a father of Temirlan Machalikashvili, a 19-year-old youth killed during the special operation in Pankisi Gorge in December 2017.

It is noteworthy that in total 19 persons, including the opposition leader Nikanor Melia, have been charged with the organizing, heading and participating in group violence during the anti-occupation demonstrations in Tbilisi on June 20-21. 

The Ex-defense Minister of Georgia Irakli Okruashvili pleads not guilty.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia released a statement after Okruashvili’s detention, saying that he, together with accompanying persons was inciting others and trying to forcefully enter the Parliament building.

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By Ana Dumbadze