The Telavi District Court has ordered neurologist Maia Kokhtashvili, who is charged with issuing a forged prescription, to post 50,000-lari bail.

The decision was made by Judge Marine Tsertsvadze. The court also ordered the accused doctor to report to the relevant body once every two weeks and prohibited her from crossing the border of Georgia.

At the hearing, the prosecution side requested that Kokhtashvili be placed in custody. According to the prosecutor, the neurologist prepared and issued forged prescriptions for the psychotropic medication gabapentin three times in July, August and September. In total, the matter concerns 70 capsules.

As for the position of the defence side, the lawyer of the detained person did not agree with the motion of the Prosecutor’s Office. According to his statement, Kokhtashvili admits the crime, but there is no risk of absconding, destruction of evidence or influencing witnesses.

The defence side requested the application of non-custodial bail as a measure of restraint.

The detained person herself also exercised the right to speak at the court. According to her statement, when prescribing the medications she had the motive of helping the patient and was guided by medical ethics.

In addition, after Kokhtashvili’s detention, numerous posts of support for her were written on social media. Colleagues, friends and patients are collecting the bail amount for the release of the detained doctor.

For reference, Maia Kokhtashvili has been charged under the second part of Article 268 of the Criminal Code of Georgia; she is accused of having, by using her official position, unlawfully prepared and issued a forged prescription for a citizen to purchase a psychotropic substance.

The said action provides for imprisonment for a term of 3 to 6 years as a form and measure of punishment.