There is evidence that was concealed, which will be appealed in accordance with the proper procedure. Witness interview records were hidden by the Prosecutor’s Office and investigative authorities and were not provided to the defense, said Lana Tsertsvadze, the lawyer of former State Security Service head Grigol Liluashvili, who has been detained on charges of accepting a particularly large bribe.

According to her, the defense believes that the evidence was of an exculpatory nature, and its concealment by the prosecution was driven by that purpose.

“There is evidence that was concealed, which will be appealed in the appropriate manner. Witnesses were included in the list of persons to be questioned after we filed a motion requesting their inclusion. However, their interrogation records were hidden by the Prosecutor’s Office and investigative bodies and were not handed over to the defense. There are no other episodes in relation to Grigol Liluashvili; all episodes are already presented in court. The witnesses whose interrogation records the defense is referring to were questioned regarding the same episodes currently under judicial review. I am only referring to the hidden evidence that concerns the case currently being heard in court regarding Grigol Liluashvili,” Tsertsvadze said.

She also responded to the testimony of two witnesses questioned in court today.

“The same situation repeated itself in today’s court hearing — none of the witnesses provided any information regarding Grigol Liluashvili or spoke about his involvement in any episode. During today’s hearing, one of the accused persons, whose case has been separated into a separate proceeding, was questioned and spoke about their own charges. I cannot comment on their alibi. None of the persons questioned so far in court has provided any information about Grigol Liluashvili suggesting any involvement in any criminal episode, including the kindergarten-related episode. This witness does not know Liluashvili, just as Liluashvili does not know the witness — neither of them has even heard of the other,” she said.

According to her, if necessary, Liluashvili will take the case to Strasbourg.

“Mr. Grigol Liluashvili is choosing a legal path. Naturally, at the level of national legislation, we hope that objective truth will be established and his innocence will be confirmed. In the future, depending on necessity, if it becomes required, we will use any legal avenue, including Strasbourg,” Tsertsvadze said.

For context, former State Security Service head Grigol Liluashvili was detained on December 23 after being summoned for questioning at the Prosecutor’s Office. He is charged under Article 338, Part 2, Subparagraph “g” and Part 3, Subparagraph “e” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns accepting a particularly large bribe by a group acting in prior agreement, carrying a penalty of 11 to 15 years of imprisonment.