Head of Service for the Relation with Nongovernmental Organizations at Telavi District Administration Sent to Prison

Nino Gvaridzishvili, Kakheti

Giorgi Machavariani, head of service for the relation with international foundations and nongovernmental organizations at the Telavi district administration, was arrested for drug-abuse. Court discussed his case and imposed imprisonment as preventive measure.

Giorgi Machavariani was arrested based on the operative information on January 6 nearby King Erekle’s statue in Telavi. According to the information spread by MIA, during the personal search law enforcers seized drug substance from the detainee. “According to the results of expertise law enforcers seized 0,0109gr of drug substance containing 4,16 gr of buprenorphine. Results of expertise revealed that in the moment of detention Giorgi Matchavariani was under the influence of marijuana. Investigation is in progress on the fact of illegal purchase and keeping of drugs, article 260, I part of the Criminal Code.”

After trial, Giorgi Machavariani was placed in Telavi pretrial detention establishment. Court concluded to impose pre-trial imprisonment regardless the fact that the defense side requested to release him under bail of 5000 lari or under guardianship. Archil Tkhlashidze, relative of the Telavi district single-seat MP Gela Samkharauli, was ready to be Machavariani’s guardian. “Giorgi is my close friend and I know him very well. He would never have left country or otherwise hindered investigation. So I cannot see any grounds for his imprisonment. Giorgi Machavariani actively cooperates with investigation, pleads guilty and shares the gravity of the committed offense,” Archil Tkhlashidze said.

Telavi District Court scheduled trial on Machavariani’s case at 13:00 pm on February 6.