Former Minister of Defense Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison in June 20 Case

The former Minister of Defense Irakli Okruashvili has been sentenced to 5 years in prison as a result of the renowned "June 20" case by by Judge Lavrenti Maglakelidze.

The court ruled that Okruashvili was acquitted for leading group violence; however, was found guilty of participating in group violence during the June 20, 2019 rally.

The former Minister was arrested in connection with a crime under the first and second parts of Article 225 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages the leadership of group violence and participation in it. The leadership of group violence is punishable by 6 to 9 years of imprisonment, while participation is punishable by 4 to 6 years in prison.

Georgian politician Irakli Okruashvili had served in various important posts in the Government of Georgia under President Mikheil Saakashvili, including being the Minister of Defense from December 2004 until being dismissed in November 2006.

On July 25, 2019, it was announced at a special briefing held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia that former Defense Minister and current leader of the Victorious Georgia Political Party had been detained on the charges envisaged by Article 315 (Conspiracy or insurrection aimed at changing the constitutional order through violence) and Article 225 (organizing, heading and participating in group violence) of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

The MIA said that on the night of June 20, Okruashvili called on the participants of the anti-occupation demonstration to forcefully enter the Parliament building.

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: MIA: Okruashvili Detained for Group Violence on June 20-21 Rally