Khelvachauri District Governor Was Detained in the Courtroom

Yesterday, Khelvachauri District Governor, Gocha Shervashidze was detained in the courtroom. The prosecutor blames him for 'illegally purchased plots'. According to the initial information Prosecutor refused plea bargain with Shervashidze and the latter faces ten-year imprisonment. He has already been sentenced to two-month pre-trial detention.

Lawyer Ramin Papidze said that Shervashidze was found guilty illegally. "The case deal with illegally purchased lands in Gonio-Kvariati during Aslan Abashidze was in office. This year, in August Gonio Councilor's office abolished the decision. However, Khelvachauri District Registration Department did not register them on time. Illegal owners of the land entertained their chance and sold the plots. So Public Register Office should be charged not the Governor. Innocent Shervashidze is detained."

At that time District Governor was on a sick leave. Gocha Sharvashidze's wife, Lali Zakaradze is a deputy of the Adjara Supreme Council; she is a leader of the majority fraction.

Gocha Shervashidze's governing was doubtful after local elections, however, Murman Dumbadze, member of the Adjara Supreme Council from the Republican Party called him a political prisoner. He attended the trial. "Prosecutor's accusation was general. According to it, Shervashidze's fault was his being late to discover illegal purchase. In this way, every former governor and even the Chairman of Adjara Government, Levan Varshalomidze should be detained," Murman Dumbadze said after the process.

Maka Malakmadze, Batumi