Strict curfew and electronic tag for ex-Defence Minister

Georgia’s ex-Defence Minister David Kezerashvili has been released from custody in France on the condition he must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet for six months.

Georgia’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office announced conditions of Kezerashvili’s release. It said the French Judge prohibited Kezerashvili from leaving French territory and set a specific address in Aix-en-Provence where Kezerashvili must live.

The French Judge placed Kezerashvili under a strict curfew.

"The decision of the Court allowed Kezerashvili to leave his residence from 10:00 to 18:00 Monday through Friday and from 9:00 to 21:00 on the weekend,” read the Prosecutor’s Office statement.

Meanwhile the court hearing to review whether Kezerashvili will be extradited from France will be held on February 27. Until then, Kezerashvili must forfeit his two passports to the court. Kezerashvili has dual French-Georgian citizenship.

Georgia’s ex-Defence Minister was released from custody yesterday. Kezerashvili was named on the Interpol wanted list before he was arrested and detained in France on October 10, 2013, in accordance with Georgia’s request.

Kezerashvili is wanted in Georgia on multiple criminal charges including corruption. He is accused of bribe-taking, violating Georgia’s transport rules, especially large amount of movable items, and illegal money laundering committed by a group that was accompanied by acquiring a large amount of income. He also faces charges of alienating TV Imedi in 2008.

He has also been accused of protecting a scheme that illegally smuggled alcohol.