Former Defence Minister Bacho Akhalaia detained

Georgia’s State Security Service has detained former Defence Minister Bacho Akhalaia.

The body said on Thursday Akhalaia’s detention is linked to the events that unfolded on October 4. The agency stated that the investigation established that Akhalaia coordinated the October 4 developments through internet-based applications.

Prior to his detention, law enforcement officers were present at the former Defence Minister’s residence.

Earlier, on October 10, Akhalaia was questioned as a witness at the Central Criminal Police Department as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the October 4 events. He was summoned to provide testimony and to give a voice sample. The questioning was related to a circulated audio recording allegedly capturing a conversation between Paata Burchuladze and Bacho Akhalaia.