Chief Of Georgian Military Staff Charged With Abuse Of Office

November 08, 2012

Georgia's armed forces chief of staff Giorgi Kalandadze has been officially charged with abuse of office.

Kalandadze's lawyer, Gogita Gabaidze, told journalists on November 8 that his client's full statement regarding the charges would be made public in two or three days.

He added that Kalandadze denied any wrongdoing and considered the charges groundless.

Gabaidze added that Georgia's former interior minister, Bacho Akhalaia, and Georgian Army brigade commander Zurab Shamatava are also being officially charged with abuse of office.

On November 7, Georgia's chief prosecutor accused Kalandadze and Shamatava of verbally abusing six military servicemen in the defense minister's office in 2011.

Akhalaia, a close ally of President Mikheil Saakashvili, was accused of striking a soldier during the meeting in the office.

Akhalaia was arrested on November 6. Kalandadze and Shamatava were detained the next day.

Based on reporting by Apsny.ge and Interfax

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/georgia-chief-of-general-staff-kalandadze-charged/24765189.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.