Gunava’s Trial Postponed to May 1

Trial on Tengiz Gunava’s case, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti regional governor, was postponed to May 1. Judge made the decision because defense lawyer Malkhaz Velijanashvili did not appear to the court.

Malkhaz Velijanashvili did not arrive at the trial because he was present at Bachana Akhalaia’s court hearing where he is defense lawyer as well.

Giorgi Oniani from the Freedom and Support Center appeared at Gunava’s trial. He told Judge that he was assistant to Lawyer Velijanashvili and had represented the defense side at Gunava’s previous process instead Velijanashvili. However, the judge said intern lawyer cannot protect the rights of the accused at the hearing and concluded to postpone the process.

The episode Gunava is accused of and which witnesses were to be interrogated about on April 17, refers to premeditated slight injury of body. According to investigation unit, Tengiz Gunava and his driver had an argument when Gunava wounded his driver Izoria in the leg with his service gun.

Salome Achba