Ex-defence minister Akhalaia released after nine years in prison

Georgia’s former defense minister under the United National Movement government, Bacho Akhalaia, was released from prison earlier today after serving nine years. 

Akhalaia was arrested back in 2012 and was later convicted for a high-profile torture case of Colonel Sergo Tetradze in 2011.

The Chief Prosecutor’s Office said that per the demand of Akhalaia Tetradze was severely tortured with the aim of obtaining a false confession which caused the latter’s death. 

Akhalaia served as defense minister between 2009 and 2012, while in 2012 he was also appointed as interior minister. 

However, the same year the Georgian Dream coalition defeated the United National Movement in parliamentary elections.