Georgian Interior Ministry has arrested Irakli Okruashvili, Georgia’s former defense minister (2004-2006), on charges of “organizing, leading and participating” in mass violence during the unrests on the night of 20-21 June.
Acting Head of the Criminal Police Department Mamuka Chelidze said the police inquest showed that Okruashvili “with accompanying persons was both inciting others and trying himself to force entry into the Parliament”. The criminal police also released the video below to document the charges.
Chelidze said 17 people are charged with group violence, including MP Nika Melia, whose freedom of movement has already been restricted by placing a bracelet.
As we have reported earlier, Prosecution also invoked the Article 315 of the Criminal Code – organizing the coup – in connection with the events of June 20-21, but no personal charges have been brought so far.
Uncomfortable witness?
Okruashvili has remained on the outer margins of Georgia’s political life, but rose to media prominence during the last days, as one of the key witnesses and critics of the decision to award ownership of Rustavi 2 TV channel to Kibar Khalvashi, following the decision of the European Court of Human Rights.
Okruashvili claimed Khalvashi acted on his behalf, as a figurehead in the original dispute and thus had no standing. He said he posseses a legal document to prove it.
Read also:
- – Prosecutors Summon Interior Minister for Questioning
- 17/07/2019 – Three More Persons Arrested for Participation in ‘Group Violence’
- 17/07/2019 – One More Police Officer Arrested on Charges of Exceeding Powers
- 16/07/2019 – Rustaveli Ave. Politics move to Facebook
- 09/07/2019 – Update: Two Parallel Rallies in Tbilisi Last Till Sunrise
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