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Kutaisi Appeal Court Upheld Previous Verdict

October 22, 2014
 
Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Five-year-imprisonment to Ivane Merabishvili, 50 000 lari fine to Zurab Tchiaberashvili – Kutaisi Appeal Court upheld the February 17, 2014 verdict of the Kutaisi City Court. At the trial on October 21, where only former minister of healthcare Zurab Tchiaberashvili participated, the judge did not satisfy solicitations of the defense lawyer and the prosecutor.

“In Zurab Tchiaberashvili’s part of the case, our position was absolutely well-argumented. However, the judge did not satisfy our solicitation. So we are going to appeal the verdict at the Supreme Court,” Prosecutor Ketevan Chachava said.

As for the defense side, they requested abolishment of the Kutaisi City Court’s judgment, according to which Ivane Merabishvili was found guilty under Article 160 Part III b of (Encroachment upon Inviolability of House or Other Possession), Article 182 Part II “d” and Part III “b” (Misappropriation or Embezzlement) and Article 164′ (vote-buying) of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

“We did not expect other result, because court, as well as prosecutor’s office, is under influence of the government. Vano Merabishvili, like other representatives of former government, is political prisoner,” Tchiaberashvili said.

The defense side also intends to appeal the verdict at the Supreme Court of Georgia. 

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