Manana Tandashvili, the prosecutor in the case of accused doctor Maia Kokhtashvili, says that the defendant has previously been convicted of the same type of offense.

According to her, in 2023, the Telavi District Court found her guilty of producing and distributing a forged prescription for the purpose of obtaining a psychotropic substance by abusing her official position.

The prosecutor said that the investigation into the criminal case is ongoing, and that other criminal episodes allegedly committed by the defendant, as well as individuals connected to her criminal activities, may be identified, potentially expanding the circle of defendants. The charges against the defendant could also be upgraded to a more serious offense.

Asked what material motive the defendant had, given that she herself claims she felt sorry for the elderly woman, the prosecutor explained that although the defendant made this statement in court, the case materials and operational materials indicate that the defendant said she received a certain percentage of the amount paid by each registered patient. She also stated: “The provision of Article 268 under which the defendant has been charged does not require the existence of any material benefit, and the offense is completed from the moment she issued the prescription for the purpose of distribution; in this particular case, she also distributed it.”

Regarding the alleged presence of an agent provocateur in the case, the prosecutor said that the evidence contained in the criminal case does not establish any act of provocation. According to her, the defense itself fully agreed with the charges.

“The defendant admitted the crime during the court proceedings, which was accepted by the defense lawyers, and they also ruled out the existence of any provocation. Meanwhile, the person operationally involved in the case acted on the basis of a court ruling and authorization, within the scope of which covert investigative measures were carried out,” the prosecutor said.