Pre-trial detention has been ordered for the former head of the Operational Planning Division of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, in absentia.

The decision was made by Tbilisi City Court Judge Lela Maridashvili.

The former high-ranking official is not in Georgia, nor did he attend the trial remotely either.

The Prosecutor's Office requested the use of the most severe preventive measure of detention against the former high-ranking official.

According to Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalugelashvili, Irakli Shaishmelashvili made public calls, according to which he tried to discredit the government and demoralize law enforcement officers. He urged them not to perform their official duties and not to prevent violent actions.

According to the prosecutor, there is a risk that Shaishmelashvili will abscond, commit new crimes, and destroy evidence.

For information, Irakli Shaishmelashvili is charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (public call for the violent change of the constitutional order of Georgia or the overthrow of the state government), which provides for up to three years of imprisonment as a form and measure of punishment, which provides for up to three years of imprisonment as a form and measure of punishment.