Georgian defence ministry sues ex-defence minister Kezerashvili, demanding 5mln euros

The Georgian Defence Ministry has sued former defence minister under the United National Movement (UNM) government David Kezerashvili and demanded five million euros back which the former official and ex-head of the procurements departments of the ministry Aleksandre Ninua embezzled while in office, back in 2008. 

The ministry says that former officials transferred the money to an offshore-registered company for military exercises which did not take place. 

In early September the Georgian Supreme Court found Kezerashvili guilty in the case and sentenced him to five years in prison in absentia. 

Now the Defence Ministry says that the case does not concern embezzlement only, it is also the appropriation of state funds and Kezerashvili must return the money. 

Kezerashvili, who has been on the run since 2012, has already called the court’s verdict biased and has plans to appeal it to the European Court of Human Rights. 

Kezerashvili served as the head of Georgia’s financial police between 2004 and 2006, while between 2006 and 2008 he held the post of defence minister. 

He was one of the first UNM officials who left the country shortly after the 2012 parliamentary elections in which the Georgian Dream coalition defeated the United National Movement. 

He is described as one of the wealthiest former UNM officials, also holding 51 percent of shares IN the opposition-minded Formula TV.