Former Georgian defence minister Okruashvili arrested for defying parliamentary probe

A court in Georgia has ordered the arrest of former Defence Minister Irakli Okruashvili after he repeatedly failed to appear before a parliamentary commission investigating alleged crimes committed during the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili.

The Tbilisi City Court overturned a previous bail decision and approved a motion by the Prosecutor’s Office to detain Okruashvili, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

In April, the court had granted Okruashvili release on bail of 20,000 lari (around $7,300). However, prosecutors petitioned for stricter measures following his continued non-compliance.

According to him, the only property he owns has already been looted, and it is currently impossible to assess its value.

“I will not be posting bail! I even took off my cross on purpose – I came to the hearing dressed the way one is taken to prison. Want the truth? I’m tired,” Okruashvili stated.

Following the court’s decision, Okruashvili was taken into custody.

The parliamentary commission is examining abuses allegedly committed during the Saakashvili era, when Okruashvili served as a prominent member of the government.

By Aghakazim Guliyev