Prosecutors charge ex-official Akhalaia with calling for violent overthrow of government

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has filed charges against former official under the United National Movement government, Bachana Akhalaia, for publicly calling for the violent change of the constitutional order and the overthrow of state authorities.

Authorities claimed on 16 February, during an open court session at the Tbilisi City Court, Akhalaia used his speech to publicly advocate for altering Georgia’s constitutional system by force and toppling the government.

The law provides for a penalty of up to three years in prison.