Georgia's two ex-ministers formally charged

Georgian former Minister of Energy and Finance Alexander Khetaguri was charged with bribery and money laundering.

According to Khetaguri's lawyer David Khazhaliya, Khetaguri pleaded not guilty.

The lawyer also said that the second part of Article 338 of the Georgian Criminal Code specifies imprisonment from seven to 11 years, and the third part - from 11 to 15 years. Khetaguri was also charged under Article 194 of the Criminal Code.
Within 24 hours the court will choose a preventive punishment for Alexander Khetaguri.

'Rustavi-2' Director General and former Minister of Education Nika Gvaramia was charged under five articles of the Georgian Criminal Code, Gvaramia's lawyer Mamuka Chabashvili who visited the detention centre said today.

The lawyer said his client was charged under the Georgian Criminal Code's article 338 - bribery, 194 - money laundering, 210 - manufacture, sale or use of counterfeit credit or bank cards and 362 - the production, sale or use of false documents, stamps, seals.
Chabashvili said that Gvaramia pleaded not guilty. The court must choose preventive punishment within 24 hours.

Former Deputy Minister of Economy Kakha Damenia was also indicted on four articles of the Georgian Criminal Code, while Isabella Gutidze was indicted on three articles.

Damenia's and Gutidze's lawyer Kakha Shonia told media that Damenia was charged upon the second and third parts of Article 25-338 of the Georgian Criminal Code - promotion of bribery, the second part of Article 210 - the manufacture, sale or use of counterfeit credit or bank cards (a fine or imprisonment for a period from four to seven years) and the second part of Article 362 - the manufacture, sale or use of false documents, stamps (from three to six years in prison) and the second part of Article 194 - money laundering.

As for Isabella Gutidze, she is charged uder the second part of Article 210, the second part of Article 362 and Article 375 (concealment of crime).

The same criminal case has been filed for all the defendants.


/Trend/