Areshidze: Patarkatsishvili could fall victim of FEZ-based conflict

Mamuka Areshidze, an expert and head of the NGO "Centre of Strategic Researches of the Caucasus", believes that Badri Patarkatsishvili could have fallen victim of the struggle for the Free Economic Zone (FEZ).

"In Patarkatsishvili's case, the issue of the Free Economic Zone (FEZ) is essential, namely, the initiative of Georgian leadership to set up a FEZ in the territory of the country. The point is that the interests of Saakashvili and Patarkatsishvili have collided around the FEZ issue, and the latter fell victim of this confrontation. Now, it is important who will further deal with the Free Economic Zone issue.

I think that Patarkatsishvili was liquidated. I don't think that the Georgian authorities were involved in his death: not quite the proper level. Here, I mean the influential foreign forces that back up our president," the expert said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In his opinion, Patarkatsishvili's death will influence the political situation in Georgia.

"The oligarch's death will tell negatively on the political situation in Georgia and on the forces of the opposition. I mean not only the financial aspect of the issue. The Patarkatsishvili's party had actually taken away votes from the party in power. And now it's difficult to preview what the opposition can rely on," Mamuka Areshidze has summed up.

The "Caucasian Knot" has already informed that Patarkatsishvili's relatives demand that the investigation into the businessman's death were continued. This was stated by advocate Shalva Shavgulidze on February 17.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has already informed that according to the same Shavgulidze, "the criminal case against Badri Patarkatsishvili shall be stopped." "To do so, we need a respective statement of the Prosecutor's Office and to pass through the necessary procedures. We'll demand rehabilitation of his name," he said.