How did Two Former Members of the National Movement End up in Prison

Tako Khutsishvili

Merab Maisuradze and Kote Lomidze left the National Movement when the opposition started a protest demonstration on April 9, 2009 with the demand that the  president resign and that there then be an extraordinary presidential election. They joined the opposition. They are  members of Protect Georgia, Levan Gachechiladze’s movement. Lasha Chkhartishvili, a member of the Conservative Party considers that Merab Maisuradze and Kote Lomidze were arrested because they became opposition party members. Lasha Chkhartishvili:”This is political persecution, the attempt to intimidate those people who do not want to be a part of this shameful party. We will do our best to help the people that were arrested for political reasons. We will apply  all legal methods to stop political persecution in Georgia.”

Noa Pilauri, the attorney for the suspects, thinks that it is strange that her clients were charged now when they became the members of a political party and not a year ago when it is alleged a crime occurred: “The prosecutor’s office filed charges against my clients for an alleged crime that it is alleged took place a year ago. Both Merab Maisuradze and Kote Lomidze were members of the National Movement at that time. Accordingly, they had to deal with the City Hall and various state bodies. They promised Shubitidze, Jokhadze and Chkonia to help them buy a plot on Jikia Street at a low price. They asked some amount of money and to be involved in their business in exchange for this help. The suspects had an acquaintance in the City Hall –someone named Lasha who would help to buy the plot. Shubitidze paid the money (about 100, 000 US Dollars) and demanded the document from the City Hall that proved that the plot really belonged to him and his partners. Lomsadze and Maisuradze brought a stamped document. No one, including Lomsadze and Maisuradze themselves, doubted that the document was real. Shubitidze and Lasha from the City Hall met each other and agreed that the plot, after some time, would be officially registered as the property of Shubitidze and his partner.. However, the process was delayed and Shubitidze demanded the return of the money. In the end, they agreed that the employee of the City Hall would return the money by September. If not Lomidze and Maisuradze would pay the money as it was agreed. Meanwhile, they were arrested.”

They were charged under Parts I and II of Article 180 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (seizure of property and conspiracy to defraud) based on the accusation submitted against them by Shubitidze . They should not have been charged withfraud because they are the victims in the case. They really trusted the City Hall employee who promised to arrange the case. My clients have already testified. They want the case investigated properly since they were deceived as well,” states Nona Pilauri.

Merab Maisuradze and Kote Lomidze are now in Gldani Prison # 8. They were sentenced to two months pretrial detention in prison . The court rejected the motion of the attorney to release the suspects in exchange for 2,,000 GEL bail. The case will considered by the court when the investigation is over.