Criminal prosecution against Merab Katamadze was dropped

Information Center of Kakheti

7 years ago criminal prosecution started against Merab Katamadze, former member of the Political Council of the Republican, which was now dropped. On November 7, the Tbilisi City Court satisfied a solicitation of the prosecutor to withdraw the accusations against him and explained that the provided evidence could not prove guiltiness of Merab Katamadze.

The Prosecutor’s Office accused Katamadze in illegal purchase/possession of weapon.

Merab Katamadze’s case was discussed during 7 years. His lawyer, Levan Vepkhvadze, said 4 judges and 3 prosecutors were changed during this period. 

 

“Our evidences showed that the investigators who had to be on the detention site in Griboedov street, were in absolutely different place. Besides, nobody could prove the fact of the weapon withdrawal from him. We also interrogated the witnesses, who saw Merab Katamadze on that day. They said they were participating in the protest rally organized by the political party. After all that, the prosecutor’s office admitted, that the accusation was not proved based on the evidences, they have presented”, - Levan Vepkhvadze told to the Information Center of Kakheti. 

Merab Katamadze, who was member of the Political Council of the Republican Party, was detained on November 7, 2009. The court imposed a bail of 5000GEL on him as a preventive measure. Afterwards, trial procedures were ceased and re-started in 2012. The witnesses were mostly interrogated in the end of 2013 and the hearing did not take place until 2016. 

Merab Katamadze has been a member of the National Communication Commission since February 20, 2015.