Court to discuss preventive measures against ex-official claiming to have “evidence” of rigged votes

Tbilisi City Court is scheduled on Monday to decide on the preventive measure against former Deputy Head of Georgia’s State Security Service Soso Gogashvili, who was arrested on July 16, claiming to have documentation “proving rigging of elections.”

Gogashvili, who held the post between 2015 and 2018 under the Georgian Dream authorities, has been charged with abuse of authority, illegally obtaining, storing, distributing personal data and illegal purchase and storage of firearms and ammunition.

A special operation was conducted at Gogashvili’s home late at night on July 16.

 Footage depicting his arrest was filmed by his wife and released on social media.

The family insisted that the law enforcement planted firearms, documents and various information items, including a laptop and memory cards during the search.

Gogashvili’s lawyer said that the “arrest on political grounds” was related to Gogashvili’s plans to publicize information about  the “voter fraud”,” the materials “which are now abroad and will be released anyway in the coming days.”

While in office Gogashvili was accused of receiving illegal incomes, taking a large amount of salary supplements and other alleged offenses by NGOs and investigative journalists.

Before occupying the high post, Gogashvili was on the list of the socially vulnerable.