Georgian oppositionist receives political asylum in Italy

Archil Benidze, a member of the Labour Party of Georgia, received status of a political refugee in Italy.

The "Caucasian Knot" reported that Archil Benidze was detained on July 25, 2008, by officers of the Department of Constitutional Security on charges of money laundering. Paata Djibladze, the Labour Party leader, said that the detention of Benidze was connected to his political activities. Representatives of non-parliamentary opposition called Benidze a political prisoner.

According Djibladze, Archil Benidze was filed fabricated charges and was being forced to sign a testimony directed against Shalva Natelashvili. Archil Benidze was released on bail of 2 thousand laris in March 2009.

"Our colleague, who was illegally kept in custody for ten months, deserved to be granted with political asylum in Italy," stated Paata Djibladze, the executive secretary of the oppositional party, the IA "Novosti Georgia" reports.

According to Djibladze, by granting refugee status, the Italian government has confirmed the existence of the Georgian regime; the politician believes that the regime is "autocratic" and "pays off old scores with its main political opponents", the "Georgia Online" reports.

Comments of the Georgian officials on information of Benidze's political refugee status are still not available.