Former Georgia Defense Minister Arrested After Accusations

By Brent Surgeoner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Europe

TBILISI, Georgia - Former Georgia defense minister Irakli Okruashvili was arrested on charges of corruption Thursday, two days after he accused President Mikhail Saakashvili of ordering him to kill a businessman.

According to reports, twenty-four camouflage wearing policemen forcibly entered Okruashvili’s party headquarters, without a warrant, and detained Mr. Okruashvili.

The charges filed against him include extortion, money laundering, bribery and abuse of power, which dates back to his time as defense minister.

The opposition in Georgia feels the arrest was politically motivated.

Okruashvili’s lawyer, Eka Beseliya told the press that Okruashvili denies the charges against him.  She referred to him as a “political prisoner.”

Okruashvili’s arrest also sparked protests on Friday when as many as 15,000 took to the streets in front of parliament, demanding that President Saakashvili step down.

A member of Okruashvili’a party, Movement for a United Georgia, read a statement from Okruashvili in which he urged his supporters to “unite and fight.”

Although the opposition has generally been weak in Georgia, Friday’s protests united the parties into what they have dubbed the “Salvation Front.”  One former minister, Georgy Khaindrava said “we have a criminal regime and Saakasvili is a criminal.”  Another opposition leader, Koba Davitashvili of the People’s Party, said its “time we overthrew this gang led by Saakasvhili.”

So far the protests have been peaceful, with the exception of some minor clashes between protesters and police.

Okruashvili has long been a political ally of Saakashvili, until recently when he left his position as minister of economic development to pursue private business.  After Saakashvili won the presidency following the peaceful Rose Revolution protests in 2003, Okruashvili was appointed prosecutor general.  Later, Okruashvili was appointed defense minister, until the President Saakashvili fired him in 2006 in order to placate concerns from the West.  There was fear that Georgia’s desires to regain breakaway regions South Ossetia and Abhkazia could start a war with Russia.  Okruashvili served then served as minister of economic development for a few days before leaving in November.

On Friday, President Saakashvili finally responded to the allegations that he ordered Okruashvili to murder businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili, calling them “unpardonable lies.”

Okruashvili has not offered any evidence in support of the allegations.

Additionally, Georgia deputy prosecutor general, Nika Gvaramia, told reporters that he has solid evidence of Okruashvili’s involvement in corruption which has been offered by the testimony of former presidential spokesman Dimitri Kitoshvili.

Kitoshvhili has already been arrested and charged with corruption over a mobile-phone extortion scandal.  After providing testimony, Kitoshvili was released on bail.

For more information, please see:

Yahoo (AP) - Opposition Supporters Rally in Georgia – 28 September 2007

Yahoo (AP) - Ex-Defense Minister Detained in Georgia - 28 September 2007

BBC - Georgia President Scorns Accusers - 28 September 2007

BBC - Toughest Challenge for Georgian Leader - 29 September 2007

RadioFreeEurope - Former Georgian Minister Talks To RFE/RL Prior To Arrest - 28 September 2007

RadioFreeEurope - Thousands Rally In Georgia For Detained Ex-Minister - 28 September 2007

Reuters - Thousands Protest Against Georgia President - 28 September 2007