Individuals who helped ex-pres. Saakashvili illegally enter Georgia denied bail

Four individuals who helped former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili illegally enter the country have been denied bail earlier today by Tbilisi City Court. 

Saakashvili was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1 after returning from eight years in political exile.

• Police arrest one in connection with illegal border crossing by former Pres. Saakashvili

Police arrested Elguja Tsomaia who ‘gave his apartment to Saakashvili for temporary residence and hiding’ on October 3, while father and son Zurab and Shalva Tsotsoria were detained on October 5 for transporting Saakashvili to Georgia’s western region of Samegrelo after he illegally crossed into the country. 

• Prosecutor’s Office charges owner of flat where ex-president Saakashvili was hiding before detention

Giorgi Narimanidze, who allegedly was the driver of the truck in which Saakashvili was hidden while travelling from Poti to Tbilisi, was also arrested for concealment of a crime on October 20. 

• Father, son accused of transporting ex. pres Saakashvili within Georgia denied bail

Tsomaia’s lawyer asked for 10,000 GEL bail, however, Judge Davit Kurtanidze denied the request. 

The next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for December 28. 

Saakashvili, who served as the country’s third president from 2004 to 2013, was sentenced to six years of imprisonment in absentia in 2018 for the abuse of power. 

• TV channel alleges Saakashvili entered Georgia hidden in truck on ferryboat

Additionally, the ex-president is charged with several other offences including illegal seizure of property, embezzlement, illegal rally dispersal and illegal border crossing.