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Georgian Prosecutor General Office Submits New Discrediting Evidence Against Georgian Ex-Defence Minister

Georgia Materials 6 November 2007 15:58 (UTC +04:00)

The Georgian Prosecutor General Office denied accusations by the ex-Defence Minister, Irakli Okruashvili, and submitted new evidence on Okruashvili's connection to the businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili.

According to the statement by the deputy Prosecutor General of Georgia, Nicolaz Gvaramiya, part of bail for Okruashvili was paid by the company Kibar Khalvashi with whom he was connected to in corruption. Tamaz Nijaradzeh, the other business partner paid 3.5mnl lari.

"He calls Nijaradzeh 'some man' although they spoke on the telephone 135 times in 2006, as well as 75 times in five months in 2007, nobody speaks with 'some man' so frequently," he said. The expensive Faeton car which Okruashvili had use of in Georgia also belonged to Nijaradzeh's firm.

Gvaramiya noted that the investigation into the case is continuing, although the ex-Minister denies the information. "We checked up all the accusations made by Okruashvili against the Georgian President. We have already revealed information that the President ordered the murder of businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili. The head of the united headquarters, Zaza Gogova denied information in the statement by Okruashvili that Okruashvili informed Gogova about this fact, and states that the United States Ambassador to Georgia did not receive similar information. Other investigation measures have been taken, Okruashvili has denied all charges and has not submitted evidence of his own accusations.

Okruashvili attempted to get a visa to Great Britain, however he did not receive a visa to Britain. The French embassy gave a visa to Okruashvili.

Gvamariya also denied the statement that Okruashvili was put under pressure. "We carried out a medical examination at the request of his lawyers, as well as an ombudsman. The examination revealed he was not put under pressure and no drugs were used on Okruashvili. Neither David Kezerashvili, the Defence Minister, or Zurab Adeishvili, the Prosecutor General, visited Okruashvili. However, Okruashvili stated that the aforesaid persons put pressure on him. Only Kakha Koberidze, the first Prosecutor General, visited Okruashveli.

Gvamariya said at the end of the briefing that they managed to reveal the name of Okruashvili's envoy. "We revealed that the same man was David Jiblashvili and he was detained. Okruashvili used Jiblashvili's credit cards in London. David Jiblashvili's telephone calls were legally tapped immediately after Okruashvili's statements to Imedi TV that connected him to Nana Lejeva and expressed his dissatisfaction," Gvamariya said

It was revealed from the telephone calls that Jiblashvili gave money to Okruashvili in Munich which he received from Badri in London.

Okruashvili is under investigation and if he does not return to Georgia then 10mnl lari transferred from his account to the State Budget, and Okruashvili will be detained when he is found.

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