19:52, 26 July 2008

MoI officers detained Labour party member in Georgia

According to the Georgian Labour party information, officers of the Constitutional Security Department detained Archil Benidze, Labour party representative, on the night of July 25.

According to IA "Gazeta.Ru", Benidze was detained in his uncle's flat. Archil Benidze is accused of money laundering.

The Department officers searched the Benidze's flat as well. Kakha Dzagania, Georgi Gugava and Paata Dzhibladze, Labour party leaders, are attending the place of incident.

Dzhibladze claims that Benidze was detained in connection with his political activity. According to him, the Department sanctioned the detainment of three more party members, i.e. David Verdzeuli, chief of the party administration, Georgi Goglichidze, coordinator of Imeretia regional organization, and Vazha Seguridze, coordinator of Didgor district.

According to Vazha Dzhibladze, due to the aforementioned, the party applied for political asylum to the embassies of several countries, including the USA.

In the meantime, no comments were offered by officers of the Constitutional Security Department in connection with the detainment.