Trial of Irakli Okruashvili postponed at request of defence

During the today's court session in the case against Irakli Okruashvili, ex-Minister of Defence of Georgia, judge granted the defence's motion to postpone the trial till December 3. Irakli Okruashvili is accused of organizing an illegal armed formation and its leading. This was reported by lawyer Zviad Kordzadze.

At night on November 20, Irakli Okruashvili, ex-Minister of Defence, who was granted political asylum in France, returned to Georgia; however, he was immediately placed in the Gldani Prison. According to Teya Tsulukiani, Minister of Justice of Georgia, Irakli Okruashvili returned to Georgia to prove his innocence in the charges against him.

On March 28, 2008, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Irakli Okruashvili in absentia to 11 years of imprisonment on charges of extortion of shares of the mobile communication company "GeoSell". On June 27, 2011, the Prosecutor's Office filed charge against ex-Minister of Defence of Georgia under Part 1 Article 223 of the Criminal Code (organizing or leading an illegal armed formation), providing for 6-9 years of imprisonment.

The today's court session lasted about an hour. The courtroom was attended by about 100 supporters, friends, and relatives of Irakli Okruashvili. The court session was also attended by David Saakashvili, a brother of the Georgian President, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

At present, Irakli Okruashvili faces charge under Part 1 of Article 223 of the Criminal Code of Georgia organizing of illegal armed formation and its leading.

"This is the first case to be considered. Besides, the presence of Irakli and his return to Georgia are related to the fact that he should sign the appeal. Today, he will sign it, and tomorrow, we will file an appeal in the second case, in which he was sentenced to 11 years of imprisonment. And we hope that a separate trial under appeal rules will be scheduled. A far as the case of money laundering is concerned, at present, it is considered by the financial police, and we have yet examined all the details," the lawyer stated.

Given the broad public interest, journalists were allowed to enter the courtroom with video cameras, voice recorders and cameras.

When guards accompanied Irakli Okruashvili to the room, people, who came to support him, rose from their seats and began to applaud.

Apart from Irakli Okruashvili, the prisoners' dock also contained his supporters Ioseb Giguashvili, Giorgi Gabroshvili, and Khvich Sabashvili, who were charged of involvement in illegal armed formation.