Tennis player Nikoloz Basilashvili, accused of physical and psychological violence, was found not guilty by the court.

The decision was announced by Khatuna Kharchilava, judge of the Tbilisi City Court.

Only the defendant Nikoloz Basilashvili was present at the announcement of the verdict, Neli Dorokashvili did not appear at the court.

In the case against Nikoloz Basilashvili, a number of evidences were examined in the court for 2 years. Both defense and prosecution witnesses were questioned.

The Prosecutor's Office stated that they had submitted a number of evidences confirming the charges against Nikoloz Basilashvili in the case. In addition, the prosecution explained that the several hours of testimony given by the victim Neli Dorokashvili in court was exactly in line with the evidence in the case.

The defense claimed the opposite. According to the lawyers, there was no physical or psychological violence on the part of Nikoloz Basilashvili.

According to human rights defenders, Neli Dorokashvili gave a false testimony in court.

For information, the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia charged Nikoloz Basilashvili with physical violence against his ex-wife under Article 126 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, Part 2, Sub-paragraph "b", which refers to domestic violence in the presence of a minor. Later, the Prosecutor's Office clarified the charges against Basilashvili and accused him of psychological violence along with several episodes of violence.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, on May 21, 2020, in Avchala settlement of Tbilisi, Nikoloz Basilashvili committed physical violence against his ex-wife Neli Dorokashvili because of a dispute. Law enforcement officers arrested Nikoloz Basilashvili on May 22, 2020. The court sentenced Basilashvili to a 100,000 GEL bail as a restraint measure.

Nikoloz Basilashvili was charged with 4 episodes of physical violence and one episode of psychological violence.

The mentioned accusations provided imprisonment from 1 to 3 years, or community service.