The State Security Service (SSS) told InterpressNews that Bachana Akhalaia’s statement is an outright lie and aims to distort the truth in a way that gives the public a perception contrary to the reality of events that took place within the investigative body. The agency said it is especially unacceptable and immoral that he fabricated a story about “threats to arrest his wife for testifying against friends and leaving a 13-year-old child orphaned.”

According to the SSS, the statement Akhalaia made today during the court hearing speaks only to his personal characteristics.

“In reality, immediately after the detention, our officers asked Akhalaia a single question - whether only he had telephone and internet contact with Zodelava, Burchuladze, and others, or whether his wife, Ana Nadareishvili, did as well. At the same time, while providing a detailed explanation of the irrefutable data obtained, Akhalaia was informed that, regardless of whether he admitted or denied guilt, if he confirmed only his own internet contacts, his wife would, with a much higher probability, be excluded from legal liability risks.

Despite this, he refused to give testimony and to answer the said question. Following consultations with the Prosecutor’s Office, a decision was made to release Ana Nadareishvili from detention and to assess the issue of her liability at a later stage of the investigation.

Akhalaia’s statement made today, especially in light of the above-mentioned decision, which sought to portray the investigative authorities’ actions - carried out to high legal and moral standards - as threats, speaks only to his personal characteristics. This is also significant in the context of criminal proceedings,” the SSS said.

For reference, former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia stated during today’s court hearing that after his detention at the SSS, he was asked to testify against his friends in exchange for his wife not being arrested.

“In the SSS building they told me: we will arrest your wife unless you implicate other people - Paata Burchuladze and others. When they tell me ‘we will arrest your wife and leave your children orphaned,’ should this case be closed? If you didn’t participate, just say that you knew about it. Your child will be left an orphan for 10 years,” Akhalaia said.