Substantial Discussion of Gigi Ugulava and Davit Kezerashvili’s Case Started

Salome Chkheidze

Substantial discussion of the criminal case on Gigi Ugulava, Tbilisi Mayor and Davit Kezerashvili, former defense minister of Georgia, was held at the Tbilisi City Court.

Gigi Ugulava said at the trial that it is illogical to claim that Joseph Kei was owner of the TV-Company Imedi and that Ugulava and Kezerashvili seized the property from him under pressure. Even if it is true, then it is strange why they returned Imedi-TV to the widow of Patarkatsishvili – Ana Gudavadze and not to Joseph Kei.

As the prosecutor clarified in his introductory speech, criminal case was launched against Gigi Ugulava and Davit Kezerashvili in accordance to two episodes. According to the first episode, the accused persons seized the property from the owner of the TV-Company Imedi Joseph Key through intimidation. According to the second episode, Prosecutor’s Office blamed Gigi Ugulava in the employment of the activists of the United National Movement in the Tbilisi City Hall cleaning service. 

The prosecutor relied on the testimonies made by businessman Joseph Kei and Nino Bakradze, who directly confirm the allegation against Gigi Ugulava and Davit Kezerashvili.

According to the defense side, the accused people do not admit guiltiness in any of the aforementioned episodes and completely absurd accusations were imposed on them. The lawyer said, prosecutor’s office obtained testimonies from Joseph Key and Nino Bakradze under oppression.

Gigi Ugulava is accused under Articles 194 and 182 of the Criminal Code of Georgia that is illicit misappropriation of other’s property and legalization of illegal revenues.