Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan. 6 / Trend, N. Kirtskhalia /
Last night the Tbilisi City Court sentenced former Georgian Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili to two months in prison as a preliminary measure of restraint. According to preliminary information, the former minister announced in international search is hiding in Belgium.
Former minister's lawyer Gocha Svanidze told Trend that the court granted the request of prosecutor's office to detain Adeishvili. "The court also took a decision to suspend the international passport and internal identity card of Zurab Adeishvili," the lawyer said.
The next hearing on Adeishvili's case will take place on February 28. The criminal case against the former Justice Minister was initiated by Georgian General Prosecutor's Office a few weeks ago. He is charged under several articles, including organization of prisoner tortures.
Adeishvili and his family left Georgia in early October, immediately after the victory of the political coalition Georgian Dream leaded by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili in the parliamentary elections. Adeishvili's current location is unknown.
Meanwhile, Georgian TV channels spread unofficial information that Adeishvili has been granted political asylum and given a guarantee not to be handed over to Georgia in Belgium. This information was not officially confirmed.