Tbilisi court upholds in absentia detention order against ex-PM Gakharia

Tbilisi City Court has upheld a decision to impose pre-trial detention in absentia on Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition party For Georgia and former prime minister, in connection with the Chorchana police post near the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region in central Georgia. 

The ruling was issued by Judge Arsen Kalatozishvili, who left the earlier decision unchanged.

On 13 November, the same court ordered Gakharia’s detention in absentia after prosecutors formally charged him under Articles 25 and 117(3)(m), as well as Article 333(2) of the Georgian Criminal Code. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 13 years in prison if convicted.

Gakharia has been outside Georgia for several months. His lawyers have previously said the case is politically motivated, an accusation rejected by the authorities.

The Georgian Dream authorities claim the installation of the police post near the occupied region had intensified conflict and led to occupation of additional lands.