Closed hearing continues in trial of ex-Defense Minister Akhalaia

The trial of former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia is ongoing at Tbilisi City Court, with today’s session held behind closed doors.

During the hearing, the prosecution presented a new piece of evidence - an audio recording that allegedly captures a phone conversation between Akhalaia and Paata Burculadze, an opposition leader over an alleged attempted government overthrow in October. The defense rejects the authenticity of the recording.

“They don’t want the public to see that there is no evidence in this case, so they hold closed sessions. There is no reason to close this hearing. No evidence exists; this is ridiculous - the audio recording is fabricated,” said defense lawyer Malkhaz Velijanashvili.

Akhalaia himself was present at the session.

He faces charges of orchestrating events on October 4, with a potential sentence of up to nine years in prison.