Georgia, Tbilisi, Dec. 27 / Trend, N. Kirtskhalia /
The Tbilisi City Court upheld the Georgian President's decision to deprive billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili's citizenship. Judge Shota Getsadze announced this decision on Tuesday.
At the same time the Court abolished the President's decision to deprive citizenship to the billionaire's wife Ekaterina Khvedelidze and committed President Mikhail Saakashvili to pay 100 lari to cover legal costs.
The businessman demanded the annulment of the Georgian President's decision, based on the fact he and his wife were deprived of the citizenship. Mr Ivanishvili's lawyers filed a suit on Oct.21.
In early October Mr Ivanishvili stated his intention to enter politics and create a strong opposition to change the current Georgian leadership. A few days later, on Oct.11, President Saakashvili signed a decree depriving him and his wife of Georgian citizenship.
According to the Justice Ministry, Mr Ivanishvili's Georgian citizenship was annulled after it became clear that he had become a French citizen. Prior to that he enjoyed Russian citizenship.