Appeal Court to Finish Discussion of Bacho Akhalaia’s Case

Salome Chkheidze

Discussion of Bacho Akhalaia’s case is approaching to the end at the Tbilisi Appeal Court. At the next trial judge will hear final statements of the former accused people and then the court will pass verdict. The prosecutor appealed August 1 non-guilty verdict of the Tbilisi City Court on Bacho Akhalaia and other co-defendants’ case.

On November 19, lawyers of Bacho Akhalaia, Gigi Kalandadze, Merab Kikabidze, Aleksandre Gorgadze, Zurab Shamatava, Giorgi Kintsurashvili, Manuchar Daraselia and Gaga Mkurnalidze made final statements at the trial.

“Acting government officials discredit Bacho Akhalaia on TV in order to influence the decision of the judges. It is fact that we are not discussing criminal cases in this court; we are discussing the case of getting rid of political opponents,” lawyer Romeo Sajaia said.

Lawyer Davit Dekanoidze said the appeal statement of the prosecutor’s office was not grounded. He said nobody argues that torture is inadmissible but it is also fact that their clients never tortured soldiers.

Giorgi Onyani responded to the final statement of the prosecutor and clarified why former accused Manuchar Daraselia and Giorgi Kintsurashvili are not in Georgia. “Although non-guilty verdict was passed on Manuchar Daraselia and Giorgi Kintsurashvili, international search on them was not canceled. Short time ago, they were arrested on the Greek border and faced some problems; they were released only after our involvement but father of one of them had heart attack because of this incident. So, the statement of the prosecutor as if we do not want interrogation of Kintsurashvili and Daraselia is ridiculous. Of course it is clear why those people do not wish to arrive in Georgia.”

The case is about physical assault and torture of soldiers and illicit restriction of Zviad Abesadze’s freedom. City Court found all accused people innocent in the alleged crime. 

Next trial on the case is scheduled at 11:00 am on November 25 at the Appeal Court. Judge will hear final statements of three lawyers and former accused justified by the City Court.