Ex Defense Minister no longer charged in prison riot case

Ex Defense Minister of Georgia Bacho Akhalaia has now officially had his charge removed from the 2006 prison riot case. The Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance approved the amnesty act by the outgoing president Mikheil Saakashvili today.

Ucha Nanuashvili, the Public Defender of Georgia criticized Saakashvili for his "irresponsible decision.

"The president is supposed to stand beyond his narrow party interests. In this case, Saakashvili was not supposed to have used his right to grant amnesty. This decision was irresponsible, Uchaneishvili said.

Sozar Subari, the Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia also believes that the ex-Defense Minister was guilty in the prison riot case and the president should not have pardoned him.

"I know this case very well. The riot that claimed the lives of seven prisoners was caused by the administration, Subari said.

Despite the presidential pardon, Bacho Akhalaia remains in custody as he is being detained for the ongoing Sandro Girgvliani case.