Ex-Defense Minister request Saakashvili’s amnesty

Bacho Akhalaia was found guilty in prison riot case
Agenda.ge, 01 Nov 2013 - 00:00, Tbilisi,Georgia

Ex-Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia, who was found guilty in inhuman treatment in 2006 prison riot case, will request amnesty from President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Akhalaia, who was found not guilty in the special operations abuse case on October 31, but he is charged in four different cases, including torture and excessive use of authority. He plans to address Saakashvili to grant him amnesty possibly today.

"The verdict on inhuman treatment in the 2006 prison riot case was politically motivated. Thats why Bacho Akhalaia made this decision, Goga Oniani, one of the ex-ministers lawyers said.

Moreover, the defenders of Akhalaia also plan to appeal the verdict for riot case at Tbilisi Appeal Court. Bacho Akhalaia was sentenced to three years and nine months in jail with a 4,000 GEL fine.

The Presidents latest amnesty has aroused concerned among the society as the list included fugitives as well as criminals that are considered to be dangerous.

If the President will grant the amnesty to Akhalaia, the ex-defense minister will not leave the prison because he is sentenced to pre-trail detention by the court.