The Cartu Bank Case

The Tbilisi City Court on Thursday sentenced former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili to 5 years and 3 months of imprisonment in Cartu Bank's bankruptcy case.

Zurab Adeishvili and Nika Melia, a member of the United National Movement (UNM), were charged in the mentioned case in 2013.

The two are accused of abuse of power and hiding property through fraudulent transactions in the case of Cartu Bank.

The opposition leader Nika Melia was acquitted in one episode of Cartu Bank's bankruptcy case, while he was found guilty in another episode: abuse of power. He was fined GEL 25,000 and was also deprived of the right to hold a public office for 2 years and 3 months.

Nika Melia said that the case is politically motivated and serves only one goal, to get him out of Parliament.

Speaking to reporters, he described the case as 'absurd,' noting that 25 people had been charged in the case of Cartu so far, however, after seven years, "the legal proceedings against them were stopped and only he was prosecuted."

He also added that Bidzina Ivanishvili sees that the vertical of his power has collapsed, and the cases against him [Melia] are only aimed at getting him out of Parliament. Tired of regular online casinos? Go to Bahsegel which is Turkey's leader in the gambling industry. A large selection of online slots, new and popular casino games, poker, blackjack, roulette and much more

As for the second case in which the opposition MP is accused of leading and engaging in group violence during the June 20 rally, he says, "Ivanishvili must realize that no criminal case can stop any opponent and activist."

By Ana Dumbadze