Georgia’s wanted ex-Defence Minister Kezerashvili sues US for not granting visa

David Kezerashvili, Georgia’s former, wanted Defence Minister, with alleged connection with an international scam scheme defrauding European pensioners, has filed a lawsuit in the Columbia district Court for the US refusal to grant him a visa. 

The basis for the visa denial, as stated in the lawsuit, stems from a decision by the US Customs and Border Protection Agency dated May 1, 2023, under a specific section which pertains to suspicions of money laundering. 

The lawsuit, available on Courtlistener.com, revealed Kezerashvili applied for a US visa at the US Embassy in Cyprus on April 4, 2023, and received the refusal on July 18, 2023. Despite requesting information from the US State Department under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the basis for the visa denial, Kezerashvili has yet to receive a response, prompting his legal action.

The legal proceedings come amidst allegations arising from a BBC investigation into call centers published in April 2023. Kezerashvili denies any involvement in fraudulent activities associated with the Milton Group or call center scams, as alleged in the investigation. 

Kezerashvili’s legal history includes prosecution by the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office since 2012, although he has not been convicted in the majority of cases. In September 2021, the Supreme Court of Georgia sentenced him in absentia to prison for embezzlement of state funds while taking official post as the minister of defence from 2006 to 2008 before leaving Georgia.

Nika Melia, the former chairman of the United National Movement, the previous ruling force, has accused Kezerashvili of exerting informal influence over the party, which is the main opposition faction in Georgia.