TV host arrested on rape charges denied bail

Tbilisi City Court on Thursday denied bail for the host of the Mtavari Arkhi TV channel, Lasha Nakaidze, who was arrested on Tuesday on charges of rape, domestic violence and threats and faces six to eight years in prison if found guilty. 

• Georgian opposition-minded channel suspends contract with host after arrest on violence charges

In her comments following the trial hearing, Prosecutor Natia Nozadze said revenge had been a motive behind the incident, which took place on Monday. In further details, she said Nakaidze had allegedly threatened the woman in question with a knife and signal pistol before assaulting her, inflicting injuries and raping the victim.

There is a large amount of evidence in the case pointing at Nakaidze’s guilt”, said the Prosecutor, noting that the investigation had worked to provide additional evidence including photo and video material. 

Mtavari Arkhi on Wednesday said it had suspended its contract with Nakaidze and was distancing itself “from any type of violence, especially those perpetrated by a man on a woman, which is not justified under any circumstances”. 

Adding another employee of the channel had called police to ensure help for the woman, the channel said it could “reconsider” its position over Nakaidze if the latter was found innocent by the court. 

According to media reports, the plaintiff was a girlfriend of Nakaidze.