The court has replaced the 20,000 GEL bail previously imposed on former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili with pre-trial detention. As a result, Okruashvili was taken into custody directly in the courtroom.
Judge Nino Tarashvili issued the ruling during today’s pre-trial hearing, granting the prosecution’s motion to substitute bail with detention.
Okruashvili faces charges for failing to comply with a summons from the temporary investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia. The focus of today’s hearing was on the admissibility of evidence.
Initially released on 20,000 GEL bail and barred from leaving Georgia until the case was resolved, Okruashvili had 30 days to post bail—a deadline that expired on May 8. Following this, the prosecution requested his detention.
The former minister was called to appear before the parliamentary commission on March 26 but refused to attend. He was later summoned to Tbilisi City Court, where he answered questions before a magistrate judge.
Okruashvili has been charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to “Failure to comply with the request of the temporary investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia.” The offense carries a penalty of a fine or up to one year in prison and may also include a ban on holding public office or engaging in professional activities for up to three years.
