Hearing on Case of Former Defense Minister Bachana Akhalaia Ended in Appeal Court

Salome Chkheidze

Hearing on case of Bachana Akhalaia ended in Tbilisi Appeal Court. Panel of judges heard the final words of individuals acquitted by the first instance court. The Appeal Court will announce verdict on December 4th.

In his final word, former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia called his criminal persecution a political revenge: “I came back by my own decision because I found myself obliged to answer all questions both to the public as well as court. I am still doing it though I come across many obstacles. You know that I have been justified in two trials. Finally, they indicted me with completely absurd conviction and put me under preliminary detention. I know that the judiciary is under pressure and therefore I do not think that things will end well. But I hope that all questions will be answered. This might happen after 5-10 years. However, everybody will pay price for locking up these boys. My request is to leave the verdict of the first instance court unchanged,” – former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia stated.

Former official of Penitentiary Department Gaga Mkurnalidze also said a final word: “The investigator told me the same like others, not to follow the sunken ship and to blame Bacho Akhalaia. I did not do it. I followed the sunken ship. The thing is that this ship has a good captain and we will win again.”

Judges Kakhaber Machavariani, Maia Tetrauli and Geronti Kakhetelidze will make final decision on December 4th at 13:00. 

The prosecution appealed against decision of August 1st of Tbilisi City Court according to which Bacho Akhalaia and others have been found not guilty. The charges were offences of physical assault, torture and illegal deprivation of liberty.