According to the statement of the prosecutor in the “Chorchana case,” Tamar Iakobidze, the former commander of the Defense Forces, Vladimer Chachibaia, who was questioned at today’s court hearing, confirmed that the issue of erecting the police outpost in Chorchana was not discussed at a session of the National Security Council.

According to Iakobidze’s statement, the then Minister of Internal Affairs did not have the authority to single-handedly make the decision to erect the outpost in Chorchana.

As she explained, the issue should have been discussed in the format of the National Security Council, agreed with the Prime Minister, and coordinated with the State Security Service, which did not happen in this case.

“At today’s process, Vladimer Chachibaia was questioned. As you know, Vladimer Chachibaia, as the head of the General Staff, was a permanent member of the National Security Council. The witness confirmed that the issue related to the erection of the outpost in Chorchana was not discussed at a session of the said Council. This witness was an important witness for the prosecution, because the act charged against Giorgi Gakharia includes exceeding official authority; accordingly, the then Minister of Internal Affairs did not have the competence to single-handedly make the decision and erect the outpost. The said issue should have been discussed both in the format of the National Security Council and should have been agreed with the Prime Minister; there should have been coordination with the State Security Service. Giorgi Gakharia ignored all the said institutions and made the decision single-handedly,” – the prosecutor stated.