Chalagashvili Released under Bail

Chairman of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulation Commission Guram Chalagashvili was released from courtroom under bail of 3 000 lari. The decision was made by Kutaisi City Court on January 19. Law enforcement bodies accused Chalagashvili of the abuse of professional power – Article 333 Part I of the Criminal Code of Georgia that was punishable by imprisonment up to three years.

The case was launched on the incident that occurred in a restaurant Amirani in Partskhanakanebi village, Tskaltubo on January 12, 2013. Allegedly, Chalagashvili called Imereti regional office of the electricity distribution company “Energo Pro Georgia” and ordered to switch off electricity in the restaurant. As a result, the restaurant and its surrounding territory with hundreds of inhabitants and private companies stayed without electricity supply.

Chalagashvili clarified that he requested switch off electricity supply due to security means because there was unpleasant smell in the restaurant. “I did not know if taking care of people was crime in this country,” chairman of the commission said on January 18 after three-hour interrogation in the Imereti regional department of the MIA.

Guram Chalagashvili said his detention was absurd and believes it was political revenge.

MP Giorgi Tevdoradze also evaluated this fact as a political order. “Chalagashvili’s case is part of the campaign that was launched by the acting government against National Movement. As for the request of the prosecutor’s office about Chalagashvili’s resignation from the position, it is the attempt of the government to get hold of another state institute,” said Tevdoradze.

Kutaisi City Court discussed request of the prosecutor’s office on Chalagashvili’s resignation without oral hearing and passed final verdict in favor of the chairman of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulation Commission – Guram Chalagashvili still occupies his position.

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi