According to the former Minister of Defense, Juansher Burchuladze, he has health problems that require daily rehabilitation procedures, and he cannot receive this in the penitentiary system.

As Juansher Burchuladze stated at today's trial, this is a substantial change that should be taken into account when considering a preventive measure.

According to Burchuladze, in addition to his health condition, other circumstances have also changed substantially - the process of obtaining evidence has been completed, and the prosecution has failed to present either direct or sufficient evidence.

“You asked, Mr. Judge, what has changed substantially? The substantial change is the health condition that the defense has named. I confirm this, and this requires daily rehabilitation, namely massages, etc., which cannot be done in a penitentiary institution.

Second, what has essentially changed regarding the measure of restraint, I will tell you my opinion on this. The most severe measure of restraint - detention - can apply to violent crimes. This is precisely what the defense argues that it is not appropriate to use the most severe measure in this case.

The second thing that has changed, in my opinion, is that the only evidence obtained are unsubstantiated and circumstantial. This is exactly the substantial circumstance that has changed.

Until now, the prosecution had time to obtain evidence that could serve as a basis for the judge to apply a strict measure.

What has essentially changed is that the prosecution was unable to obtain direct evidence. These are the circumstances that the court should consider,” Burchuladze said.

According to Juansher Burchuladze, he has a specific disease that “is not treated nationwide.”

“There are special diseases that are not treated nationwide, my problem falls into this category. For example, I was treated for one of the diseases in Spain. I also have a moral problem, I have 8 children, including a minor. Take this into account,” Burchuladze said.

The trial of former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze, as well as former Deputy Defense Minister Giorgi Khaindrava, who was arrested in the same case, the head of the procurement department of the same ministry, Vladimer Gudushauri, and Juansher Burchuladze’s wife’s brother, Vasil Mkheidze, was held at the Tbilisi City Court today. All the defendants, except Gudushauri, were present at the trial.

The judge set the next hearing for December 15th at 11:00 AM.