Tbilisi court keeps former defense minister Burchuladze in pre-trial detention

Tbilisi City Court has decided to keep former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze in pre-trial detention, rejecting motions to change his preventive measure. 

The court also left two other defendants in the same case - former deputy minister Giorgi Khaindrava and Burchuladze’s brother-in-law Vasil Mkheidze - in custody.

The hearing focused on reviewing whether the existing measure of detention should be modified; however, the judge upheld the initial decision.

Burchuladze was arrested by the State Security Service on 11 September. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, he is charged with abuse of power and money laundering related to illegal income. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 12 years in prison.

All three defendants deny wrongdoing.