Ex-Governor of Mtskheta-Tianeti, Georgia, detained for suspicion of financial malpractice

On January, 24, Caesar Chocheli, ex-Governor of Mtskheta-Tianeti district (Eastern Georgia), was detained for suspicion of financial malpractice, in particular, money laundering, a representative of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia reported. A charge is expected to be officially brought against Chocheli today.

In November of 2012 Chocheli left the office of Governor of Mtskheta-Mtianeta he had been holding since February, 2008. An official reason of his resignation was decline of his health.

On January, 24, ex-Governor was interrogated in the Ministry of Finance of Georgia. The interrogation lasted several hours and as a result Caesar Chocheli was detained.

Representatives of the Ministry of Finance informed at a press conference in Tbilisi that investigation was being carried out according to clause 337 (illicit entrepreneurship) and clause 194 (money laundering) of the Criminal Code of Georgia stipulating 9 to 12 years of custody, “Novosti-Georgia” reports.

Fiscal Police of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia demands no less than two months of arrest for Chocheli for the period of investigation, “Vestnik Kavkaza” reports.

There is currently no comment from Caesar Chocheli or his representatives concerning the charge brought against him.