Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov. 14 /Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
The preliminary hearing on the case of the former Georgian Interior Minister Bacho Akhalaia will be held on Jan. 4, 2013. Spokesperson of Tbilisi City Court Tamaz Maisuradze said the court dismissed the petition from the prosecutor's office on the custody of the accused Georgi Kalandadze and released him on bail of 10.000 lari ($1=1.66 lari).
The court confirmed the preliminary two-month detention of Bacho Akhalaia.
According to the press officer, the court took into account the following factors in regard of Kalandadze: on November 9 the accused was released on bail of 20.000 lari and did not violate the terms of release, immediately fulfilling the request on questioning.
"According to the decision of Tbilisi City Court on November 11, 2012 Georgi Kalandadze was dismissed from the post of chief of joint staff of the Georgian armed forces. He was positively characterised by the chief of joint staff, has a wife and two young children and a permanent place of residence. Considering these circumstances, the court decided that there is no likelihood of the accused absconding, influence the course of the investigation, or commit a new crime," Maisuradze said.
In regard to the accused Bacha Akhalaia, the court took into account the following factors. The risk that he might impede the investigation, the likelihood for him to abscond given the severity of the charges as well as the social danger resulting from his actions.
Bacho Akhalaia, Giorgi Kalandadze and brigade commander Zurab Shamatava are charged under part 3 of Article 333 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which includes abuse of power followed by 'an insult to the personal dignity of the victim.', which carries imprisonment from five to eight years.
Akhalaia had additional charges filed against him under article 143 namely 'illegal suppression of freedom'. This article carries imprisonment of up to 12 years.
All three detainees deny the charges.