Lawyers of TBC Bank Co-founders May Apply to Strasbourg Court

The lawyers of Co-founders of JSC TBC Bank, Mamuka Khazarade and Badri Japaridze, held a special press conference today at the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel.

The lawyer Zviad Kordzadze noted that they already have enough materials to address the European Court of Human Rights regarding Khazaradze-Japaridze case. He also added that two foreign qualified and reputable lawyers are involved in the case, who will work with him in various areas and protect the interests of Khazaradze and Japaridze abroad. 

"The case against Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze went beyond outside the jurisdiction of Georgia. The prosecution has already filed several petitions with the UK in this regard.

At the same time, we have already materials in the case by which we may apply to Strasbourg. That's why we involved two very experienced and qualified lawyers the case”, Kordzadze said.

Co-Founders of JSC TBC Bank released a joint statement a few days ago, saying that the Prosecutor’s Office has summoned the representatives of the diplomatic corps to a closed meeting on September 6, where the findings related to the Khazaradze-Japaridze case, prepared by two international experts hired by the same Office, will be introduced.

“The Prosecutor's Office is trying to shift the responsibility for their politicized decision, which has no legal basis, to the diplomatic corps”, they stated. 

The Prosecutor General's Office denies the information spread by TBC Bank founders. The Agency says foreign experts are involved in the criminal case against Khazaradze and Japaridze, and their findings will be introduced to international organizations and diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia.

“As for the information spread by the defendants about the so-called closed meeting scheduled for September 6, we would like to state that no such meeting has been scheduled. The report prepared by highly qualified foreign experts will be introduced to international organizations, diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia and other stakeholders", the Agency said.

The Prosecutor’s Office officially charged Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze on July 24 for money laundering, having launched an investigation into the fact on 2 August 2018.

“Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze are charged for the laundering of $16,754.000, as a result of which they received a large amount of income,” said the Prosecutor General's Office.

The Tbilisi City Court ordered 700,000 GEL bail from each of them on July 26.

"Co-founders of JSC TBC Bank, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, paid the bail ordered on them by Tbilisi City Court – 700,000 GEL each," announced Khazaradze’s lawyer.

Related Story: TBC Bank Co-founders Release Statement

By Ana Dumbadze