Ex-Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili has been remanded in custody for two months, pending an investigation.
The decision was made by a judge just after midnight.on September 29.
Okruashvili?s lawyer, Eka Beselia, has alleged that she was prevented by law enforcers and court marshals from representing her client?s interests at the hearing. She was, she said, denied access to the court house.
Nika Gvaramia, a deputy prosecutor general, however, rejected the allegation as utterly groundless. He said it was a blatent attempt to discredit the investigation and the court.
A state-funded attorney represented Okruashvili at the hearing, despite the latter?s objections, Beselia said. Okruashvili himself declined an opportunity to attend the hearing citing ?distrust of the judiciary,? according to Beselia.
Okruashvili, who was arrested on September 27, is charged with large-scale bribery through extortion, money laundering, misuse of power and negligence while serving as Defense Minister.
Okruashvili?s lawyer said the ex-defense minister considered himself to be a political prisoner.
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