Ex-Defence Minister Okruahsvili appeals pretrial detention
Former Defence Minister Irakli Okruashvili says that his detention is politically motivated. Photo: IPN.
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Lawyers of former Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Okruashvili have appealed the decision of Tbilisi City Court to deny bail to the former official regarding the June 20 unrest in Tbilisi.
Okruashvili was charged with incitement to group violence during the June 20 protests, which is punishable by six to nine years in prison.
He was denied bail on July 27.
The video released by the Interior Ministry, involving Okruashvili at the rally.
Okruashvili’s lawyer Anna Rekhviashvili says the “charge is politically motivated.”
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that statements about Okruashvili’s detention and his possible political prosecution are “cheap speculations.”
There is footage which speaks better about the developments. Unfortunately, an irresponsible party of the opposition always tries to make question marks appear around every issue,” Bakhtadze said.
He stated that Georgia has a fair and impartial court and it is up to the judicial system to reveal the truth.
Okruahsvili served as prosecutor general, interior and defence ministers under the United National Movement government.
After opposing former president and ally Mikheil Saakashvili back in 2007, he was detained on corruption charges.
Okruashvili left for France several days after he was released, where he lived until 2012.
He returned to Georgia in winter 2012, shortly after the Georgian Dream leadership defeated the nine-year-rule of the United National Movement leadership.
Currently he chairs the Victorious Georgia opposition party and is “fighting to regain his shares” of the Rustavi 2 channel.
A Tbilisi City Court has denied bail to Irakli Okruashvili, the former Georgian Defence Minister under the United National Movement leadership. Okruashvili was detained on July 25 for incitement to violence during the clashes of June 20 in front of the parliament of Georgia. However, he denies the charges against him.
Irakli Okruashvili, the former Georgian Defence Minister under the United National Movement leadership has been detained for incitement to violence during the clashes of June 20 in front of the parliament of Georgia. Okruashvili has been charged with organising, heading and participating in group violence, the Georgian Interior Ministry reported.
Opposition United National Movement party member Nika Melia, who is charged with incitement to violence during the recent Tbilisi protests, will have to wear an electronic bracelet to be monitored, as the Court of Appeals did not change the decision of Tbilisi City Court earlier today and accepted Melia’s release on bail.
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office says it will appeal the decision of Tbilisi City Court yesterday to release opposition MP Nika Melia on 30,000 GEL [$10,000]bail, after being charged with incitement to violence on June 20 rally in Tbilisi.
Tbilisi Court of Appeals has left the verdict to deny ex-Defence Minister Okruashvili bail intact.
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office has warned the MP of the United National Movement opposition (UNM) Nika Mela about the possible use of ‘tougher pre-trial measures,’ after the legislator violated his bail conditions and left his house without the consent of law enforcement on September 10.