Wanted ex-defence minister Kezerashvili vows help for arrested Saakashvili, Gvaramia

Wanted former defence minister of Georgia, who holds several companies in Georgia, including the opposition-minded Formula TV, on Thursday vowed support for the country’s arrested former President Mikheil Saakashvili and convicted founder of Mtavari TV channel and also former United National Movement official, Nika Gvaramia. 

 

“I am not going to stay calm and watch my friends Mikheil Saakashvili and Nika Gvaramia in prison from afar. They are political prisoners of the regime and I will do everything in my power to release them,” Kezerashvili said. 

 

He also stressed he had no  interest in Georgian politics and did not intend to participate in “damaging discussions”.

Five separate proceedings were launched against Kezerashvili back in 2012, after the current Georgian Dream authorities took office, related to money laundering, embezzlement, corruption and abuse of authority. 

Interpol declared a search for Kezerashvili by red notice in 2014, but canceled it next year. 

The Georgian Dream authorities claimed  Interpol’s decision was connected with a changed methodology, while Kezerashvili said he was perceived as a “political prisoner.”