MP Sentenced to Pre-Trial Detention for Alleged Links with Organized Crime

The court sentenced Bondo Shalikiani, an influential shadow businessman to three-month pre-trial custody on March 7.

Bondo Shalikiani was arrested on March 5 as a result of a special anti-criminal operation in a western Georgian city of Kutaisi. He is accused of illegal possession of arms and explosives.

Shalikiani was elected MP in Tkibuli single-mandate constituency in November 2 elections. However, following his arrest the Central Election Commission lifted his immunity.
 
The lawyers of detainee claim that the police illegally arrested Shalikiani as he is a parliamentarian, who enjoys MP immunity.

However, the General Prosecutor?s Office says that Shalikiani?s credentials as an MP were not yet confirmed by the Parliament hence he only enjoyed the immunity of the MP candidate, that was lifted by CEC. 

Shalikiani was considered an important ally of Kutaisi organized crime baron Tariel Oniani and reportedly controlled a network of 14 gas stations, two oil processing plants, a private detective agency, a wine factory, several restaurants and a local TV Company “Kutaisi”.

Law enforcement agencies have started to investigate Shalikiani since early 1990s when his name was linked to several kidnappings.