Arrest of Georgians slammed as persecution
Source: Agencies |
November 8, 2012, Thursday
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POLICE arrested the joint chief of staff of Georgia's armed forces and the former defense minister yesterday in connection with the alleged abuse of soldiers. The opposition attacked the move as persecution of political opponents by the newly elected prime minister.
Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili said the officials are suspected of exceeding their power, but charges have not yet been filed.
He said the arrests stem from an incident in October 2011 in which Bacho Akhalaia ? who was then defense minister - allegedly physically and verbally abused six soldiers. He said joint chief of staff Georgy Kalandadze also was present.
The commander of the soldiers' brigade, Zurab Shamatava, also was taken into custody. The three former officials each face up to eight years in jail if convicted, he said.
Opponents of new Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili claimed the arrests were politically motivated.
"This is the deed of cowards," said Akaki Minashvili, a lawmaker with President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National Movement.
Ivanishvili's coalition won last month's parliamentary polls, defeating Saakashvili's party. Ivanishvili, an eccentric billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, has repeatedly pledged to investigate Saakashvili-appointed officials accused of abusing their powers.
Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili said the officials are suspected of exceeding their power, but charges have not yet been filed.
He said the arrests stem from an incident in October 2011 in which Bacho Akhalaia ? who was then defense minister - allegedly physically and verbally abused six soldiers. He said joint chief of staff Georgy Kalandadze also was present.
The commander of the soldiers' brigade, Zurab Shamatava, also was taken into custody. The three former officials each face up to eight years in jail if convicted, he said.
Opponents of new Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili claimed the arrests were politically motivated.
"This is the deed of cowards," said Akaki Minashvili, a lawmaker with President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National Movement.
Ivanishvili's coalition won last month's parliamentary polls, defeating Saakashvili's party. Ivanishvili, an eccentric billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, has repeatedly pledged to investigate Saakashvili-appointed officials accused of abusing their powers.
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