Georgia charges ex-defence minister with incitement to overthrow government

Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office has brought new charges against former Defence Minister Bacho Akhalaia, accusing him of inciting the overthrow of the country’s state authorities.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the charges stem from statements Akhalaia allegedly made on February 16 during a hearing at Tbilisi City Court, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media. 

Prosecutors claim that he publicly called for a violent change to Georgia’s constitutional order and the removal of the government. If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison.

Akhalaia is already on trial in a separate case in which he is accused of leading the storming of the presidential administration on October 4.

The investigation and court proceedings are ongoing.

By Sabina Mammadli