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GELBAKHIANI SURRENDERS AT ARMENIAN BORDER
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
The Messenger
Feb 21 2012
Georgia
On Monday, wanted Georgian opposition figure Valeri Gelbakhiani
surrendered to law enforcement at the Georgia-Armenia border, after a
four-year search. Gelbakhiani, who was tried for treason in absentia,
has been wanted by police since February 4, 2008.
Gelbakhiani was charged with plotting to overthrow the constitutional
order. He previously served as the chief of staff for the late Georgian
presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Gelbakhiani and former
judge Marina Gabunia conspired to violently overthrow the government
through protests and riots across Georgia. Their plot also included
bribing government officials to gain access to, and detain, the
Minister of Internal Affairs.
The plan was allegedly agreed upon with the consent of
Patarkatsishvili.
Gelbakhiani's decision to return to Georgia and turn himself in
was influenced by his mother's poor health. According to his son,
Irakli, who was with his father at the border, Gelbakhiani is currently
being held in Gldani prison #8. "He hopes that political parties, the
diplomatic corps, and society reacts to his detention and assists him.
He also hopes that sees his mother either alive or dead," the younger
man remarked, noting that his grandmother is resting in a Sachkhere
hospital.
Government representatives commented that this issue is the domain
of law enforcement. "I can only say that all issues related to
Gelbakhiani's detention... are the competence of the prosecutor's
office and the court, thus making any comment by me would be
[inappropriate]," majority member of Parliament, Pavle Kublashvili,
said.
Leader of the Christian Democratic Movement, MP Giorgi Targamadze,
demanded the immediate release of Gelbakhiani, saying that his party is
ready to post bail. He called the arrest "a political pursuit carried
out by the current regime and not a legal action". Targamadze also
noted that any Georgian would return home, regardless of criminal
charges, if their mother's health was at stake.
MP Jondi Baghaturia also believes that Gelbakhiani and Patarkatsishvili
are innocent, but criticized the Christian-Democrats for failing to
support his earlier calls for investigation.
Opposition movement The Whites have also come out in support of
Gelbakhiani, saying that the government's allegations are groundless
and that the authorities regularly threaten their opponents with
similar actions.
Movement Georgian Dream, also expressed interest regarding the issue
and mentioned that its lawyers would observe the process.
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
The Messenger
Feb 21 2012
Georgia
On Monday, wanted Georgian opposition figure Valeri Gelbakhiani
surrendered to law enforcement at the Georgia-Armenia border, after a
four-year search. Gelbakhiani, who was tried for treason in absentia,
has been wanted by police since February 4, 2008.
Gelbakhiani was charged with plotting to overthrow the constitutional
order. He previously served as the chief of staff for the late Georgian
presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Gelbakhiani and former
judge Marina Gabunia conspired to violently overthrow the government
through protests and riots across Georgia. Their plot also included
bribing government officials to gain access to, and detain, the
Minister of Internal Affairs.
The plan was allegedly agreed upon with the consent of
Patarkatsishvili.
Gelbakhiani's decision to return to Georgia and turn himself in
was influenced by his mother's poor health. According to his son,
Irakli, who was with his father at the border, Gelbakhiani is currently
being held in Gldani prison #8. "He hopes that political parties, the
diplomatic corps, and society reacts to his detention and assists him.
He also hopes that sees his mother either alive or dead," the younger
man remarked, noting that his grandmother is resting in a Sachkhere
hospital.
Government representatives commented that this issue is the domain
of law enforcement. "I can only say that all issues related to
Gelbakhiani's detention... are the competence of the prosecutor's
office and the court, thus making any comment by me would be
[inappropriate]," majority member of Parliament, Pavle Kublashvili,
said.
Leader of the Christian Democratic Movement, MP Giorgi Targamadze,
demanded the immediate release of Gelbakhiani, saying that his party is
ready to post bail. He called the arrest "a political pursuit carried
out by the current regime and not a legal action". Targamadze also
noted that any Georgian would return home, regardless of criminal
charges, if their mother's health was at stake.
MP Jondi Baghaturia also believes that Gelbakhiani and Patarkatsishvili
are innocent, but criticized the Christian-Democrats for failing to
support his earlier calls for investigation.
Opposition movement The Whites have also come out in support of
Gelbakhiani, saying that the government's allegations are groundless
and that the authorities regularly threaten their opponents with
similar actions.
Movement Georgian Dream, also expressed interest regarding the issue
and mentioned that its lawyers would observe the process.