Cleric Giorgi Mamaladze, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2017 for attempting to poison Shorena Tetruashvili, the secretary of the Georgian Patriarch, has been released early. Mamaladze's release, approved on Wednesday, was granted by the local council of the Special Penitentiary Service. The decision was based on considerations of Mamaladze's health condition and the consent of Tetruashvili.

The Social Justice Center, a non-governmental organization, clarified the reasons for Mamaladze's early release, citing his compliance with prison regulations, positive behavior, lack of conflict, and absence of indicators for future criminal activity during his incarceration. The prison council acknowledged Mamaladze's serious health issues, leading to the decision for early release.

Mamaladze had one year and nine months remaining on his sentence at the time of his release. His defense team submitted his case for consideration to the Council in November 2023.

In November 2022, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Mamaladze's case, focusing on potential violations of the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. 

While no breaches concerning the gathering and use of evidence were found, the court noted violations due to legal proceedings being conducted in closed sessions. The court established a violation of the presumption of innocence and ordered the state to pay Mamaladze 9418 GEL, along with any applicable taxes, as expenses.

Mamaladze was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport on February 10, 2017, and charged with attempting to poison Tetruashvili. His family maintains his innocence, alleging that Mamaladze was aware of financial misconduct within the Patriarchate and was targeted for his knowledge by Tetruashvili and other top clerics, whom the family accuses of having undue influence within the institution.