Soso Baratashvili: A prosecutor will meet with Irakli Garibashvili for an interview; if an investigation has been launched in connection with his public statements, he is ready to testify in the presence of a magistrate judge
A prosecutor will meet with former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who has been convicted of corruption-related offences, at the penitentiary facility to interview him regarding statements he made publicly, his lawyer Soso Baratashvili told Interpressnews.
Shortly before, he met with Public Defender Levan Ioseliani, together with another lawyer, Natia Tamazashvili.
“We met with Public Defender Levan Ioseliani and his deputy, Elene Ghudushauri. They expressed interest in Irakli Garibashvili’s criminal case, which concerns both the ongoing proceedings and his public statements regarding the alleged crime committed against him. They will examine these cases, and, naturally, our side will assist them in reviewing the matter.
Levan Ioseliani expressed his willingness to meet with Irakli Garibashvili. This matter will be arranged in the coming days,” Baratashvili said.
According to him, a prosecutor will also meet with Garibashvili at the penitentiary facility.
“Last night, a prosecutor contacted me and said that he wished to interview Irakli Garibashvili regarding the public statements he had made. We decided that the prosecutor would meet with Irakli Garibashvili on Monday in our presence.
We need to establish whether an investigation has been launched. If an investigation has been initiated, he is ready to cooperate with the investigation within the framework of the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code. He wishes to give testimony in the presence of a magistrate judge.
Numerous statements have been made concerning acts of psychological and moral pressure exerted on Irakli Garibashvili, which, under our criminal legislation, are equivalent to torture,” Baratashvili said.
For context, the Public Defender of Georgia began examining the issues raised in former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s public statement on November 10.
According to the Public Defender’s Office, the Ombudsman will contact the relevant investigative authorities to obtain information about whether an investigation has been launched into the alleged acts of pressure, blackmail and coercion described in the statement, as well as what response has been taken.
