Nika Gvaramia, the Deputy Prosecutor General, stated that the statement made on TV yesterday by former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was fraudulent. Gvaramia argued that Okruashvili lied by saying that businessman Tamaz Nizharadze, a close friend of President Saakashvili, paid ten million lari as bail for his release.
Gvaramia stated that 6.5 million of the 10 million lari bail was paid by the International Building Company, owned by businessman and Okruashvili’s close friend Kibar Khalvashi. The remaining 3.5 million lari was paid by Nizharadze, who is a close friend of both Okruashvili and Saakashvili.
Gvaramia added that the number of phone conversations between Okruashvili and Nizharadze proves the close relationship between the two. In 2006, Okruashvili and Nizharadze spoke 136 times over the phone and during the first five months in 2007 they contacted one another 35 times. Additionally, Okruashvili was driving a car that belonged to Nizharadze’s company. “Strangers do not give such gifts to strangers,” Gvaramia said.
Gvaramia also stated that Okruashvili lied in claiming that investigations are not being carried out regarding his accusations against several public officials. Based on Okruashvili’s statements, Gvaramia said, law enforcers have interrogated Zaza Gogava, the head of the United HQ of the Georgian Armed Forces. During the interrogation, Gogava categorically denied the claim that Okruashvili had informed him about the possible assassination of businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili. Gvaramia also denies Okruashvili’s claim that he was visited by government officials while in prison.
As for Okruashvili’s departure to Germany, the Deputy Prosecutor General said that investigators allowed him to travel abroad for medical treatment. The Embassy of Great Britain, however, did not issue him a visa whereas the Embassy of France did. Gvaramia also contends that Okruashvili lied when he stated that one of his travel companions in Germany was arrested upon their arrival. Gvaramia stated that during a search of Okruashvili’s flat, law enforcement found a credit card registered to a Davit Jibghashvili, which the former defense minister had used while he was in London.
Gvaramia concluded by saying that investigators had conducted a wiretap on Jibghashvili. On November 5th, Jibghashvili contacted Nana Lezhava, a member of the United Georgia party and expressed his concern regarding Okruashvili’s televised statements.
Jibghashvili also said that he was in Germany with Okruashvili but that he was not detained upon arriving in Georgia.
Jibghashvili told Lezhava that during his stay in London, a certain “Badria” gave him money and that he later gave it to Okruashvili. Gvaramia said that Jibghashvili was invited to the prosecutor’s office to be interrogated as a witness.
Gvaramia stated that 6.5 million of the 10 million lari bail was paid by the International Building Company, owned by businessman and Okruashvili’s close friend Kibar Khalvashi. The remaining 3.5 million lari was paid by Nizharadze, who is a close friend of both Okruashvili and Saakashvili.
Gvaramia added that the number of phone conversations between Okruashvili and Nizharadze proves the close relationship between the two. In 2006, Okruashvili and Nizharadze spoke 136 times over the phone and during the first five months in 2007 they contacted one another 35 times. Additionally, Okruashvili was driving a car that belonged to Nizharadze’s company. “Strangers do not give such gifts to strangers,” Gvaramia said.
Gvaramia also stated that Okruashvili lied in claiming that investigations are not being carried out regarding his accusations against several public officials. Based on Okruashvili’s statements, Gvaramia said, law enforcers have interrogated Zaza Gogava, the head of the United HQ of the Georgian Armed Forces. During the interrogation, Gogava categorically denied the claim that Okruashvili had informed him about the possible assassination of businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili. Gvaramia also denies Okruashvili’s claim that he was visited by government officials while in prison.
As for Okruashvili’s departure to Germany, the Deputy Prosecutor General said that investigators allowed him to travel abroad for medical treatment. The Embassy of Great Britain, however, did not issue him a visa whereas the Embassy of France did. Gvaramia also contends that Okruashvili lied when he stated that one of his travel companions in Germany was arrested upon their arrival. Gvaramia stated that during a search of Okruashvili’s flat, law enforcement found a credit card registered to a Davit Jibghashvili, which the former defense minister had used while he was in London.
Gvaramia concluded by saying that investigators had conducted a wiretap on Jibghashvili. On November 5th, Jibghashvili contacted Nana Lezhava, a member of the United Georgia party and expressed his concern regarding Okruashvili’s televised statements.
Jibghashvili also said that he was in Germany with Okruashvili but that he was not detained upon arriving in Georgia.
Jibghashvili told Lezhava that during his stay in London, a certain “Badria” gave him money and that he later gave it to Okruashvili. Gvaramia said that Jibghashvili was invited to the prosecutor’s office to be interrogated as a witness.
Source: Medianews
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