Will Saakashvili be put on Interpol wanted list?
Our public has many questions for the Chief Prosecutor’s Office regarding the so-called cable case as well as accusations leveled against Georgia’s ex-President and some high officials. Kviris Palitra newspaper has confronted the Chief Prosecutor with questions that are now swirling around all problematic issues as well as different high-profile cases in Georgia. However, the Chief Prosecutor refrained from answering some key questions, allegedly not to impede the investigation.
Thus, our people strive for getting answers to the following questions: Is the investigation into Zurab Zhvania’s case moving forward? Will the mystery-enveloped case finally be solved? When will the late Prime Minister’s body be exhumed? Has the date been established yet?
Giorgi Badashvili, Chief Prosecutor:
- Zurab Zhvania’s case sank into oblivion under the former government. However, today an investigation is currently underway despite the fact that as many as 9 years passed after the tragic incident. As you know, charges have already been leveled against Zurab Zhvania’s bodyguards: Kharshiladze and Dzamaia, as well as expert Chachua. The investigators uncovered a great deal of important details which I cannot reveal to you at the moment. Though I can inform you that Raul Yusupov and Zurab Zhvania’s families are being kept in the loop.
- Vano Merabishvili was found guilty on one count in Girgvliani’s case, and as far as I am concerned, investigators are now looking into the Okrokhana issue. However, as reports go, the case has stalled and is not moving forward.
- I cannot agree with allegation that the investigation into the case has come to a grinding halt and the investigators are in a stalemate. However, I cannot deny that because of their eagerness to bury all case materials, it’s really tough to dig up the evidence we need today. On top of that, prime suspects and key people in this case stubbornly refuse to cooperate with the investigators and are abroad today. Although, despite all the predicaments that have been placed on our path, we have still managed to move forward with the investigation.
- Several charges have been pressed against Georgia’s ex-President. We would like to know if they plan to bring another case against him.
- As you know, the former Georgian leader was found guilty in four criminal cases including Girgvliani’s case as well as the invasion of Imedi’s company headquarters. He was also accused of embezzling a large amount of money from the state budget, assaulting MP Valeri Gelashvili and appropriating Badri Patarkatsishvili’s property.
Plus, the investigators have established that ex-President Saakashvili illegally financed travel and other expenses for his family members as well relatives. In this way, Saakashvili withdrew millions from the state budget for private purposes.
The investigators also uncovered that some evidence in Girgvliani’s case was destroyed by Mikheil Saakashvili’s order and the investigators were hampered from following through with the case.
It has also been established that Saakashvili, who was allegedly moved by personal hatred against Valeri Gelashvili, commissioned the officials of Georgia’s Internal Ministry to assault Valeri Gelashvili and beat him to death. As a result of this, the deputy sustained severe bodily injuries.
Badri Patarkatsishvili’s case has proven to be the most serious of all four. As a result of coordinated activity by all branches of the government, the former President and his entourage got hold of the Georgian tycoon’s TV Company “Imedi” as well as his assets and property.
As you know, Mikheil Saakashvili, who now lives in the US, has refused to cooperate with our investigators, which is why charges against him were pressed in absentia. He has already been declared wanted, and as the present authorities say, they will ramp up efforts to put him on Interpol’s wanted list.
- Members of the United National Movement Party have deemed this process to be political retribution. As they allege, the Prosecutor’s Office lacks evidence to declare former high officials guilty and the government places incessant pressure on the Prosecutor’s Office.
- They are not entitled to issue such unfounded allegations since only the court can say whether presented evidence is enough to declare this or that top official guilty. Fortunately, Merabishvili and Akhalaia have already been found guilty; others will get their due soon as well. This directly points to the fact that we have managed to dig up enough evidence against these people. In the end, I want to emphasize that they hardly have the moral high ground to accuse anyone of leveling politically motivated charges.
By Nana Pitskelauri
