Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

The Georgian General Prosecutor's Office has brought a charge against former PM and General Secretary of President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National Movement (UNM) party Vano Merabishvili and the governor of Kakheti, former Health Minister Zurab Tchiaberashvili.

The two officials were arrested ,after being interrogated by prosecutors in Kutaisi in connection to investigation into alleged misspending of GEL 5.2 million (1 GEL=0.61USD) public funds on UNM activists during election campaign last year, civil.ge website reported.

The former government members and close associates of the Georgian president are accused of corrupt practices, abuse of power and embezzlement of public funds.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 164 (bribery of voters), Article 182, part 3 (embezzlement or misappropriation of funds by using the official position which entailed serious damage) and Article 332 (abuse of power) of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

The hearing on measures of restraint against Merabishvili and Tchiaberashvili must be held during the next 48 hours.

Bundles of cash comprising 5000 lari, €54,000 and $70,000 were seized during the search in Merabishvili's apartment.

According to one of Merabishvili's barristers Gogita Gabaidze, the money belongs to Merabishvili's mother-in-law who recently sold her apartment in Tbilisi.

Meanwhile, former and current Georgian diplomats are ready to become guarantors of Tchiaberashvili.

"We express our concern over the detention of our former colleague Tchiaberashvili. We hope that a fair and impartial investigation and trial will establish the truth as soon as possible," the statement says.

This declaration was reflected in a statement signed by ex-Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, former National Security Council Secretary Eka Tkeshelashvili, former Ambassador of Georgia to the UN Alexander Lomaia, Georgian Ambassador to NATO Gega Mgaloblishvili and others.

Meanwhile, President Saakashvili has no intention to combine the post of Chairman and the General Secretary of the UNM.

Speaking at a press conference on May 21 at the presidential palace Saakashvili said that he does not think the General Secretary of the party, Merabishvili, will sit in prison for a long time.

"I think that there is no need to change the General Secretary, as in a few days he would be released," he said.

Saakashvili stressed that if Merabishvili stays in prison for a long time, then the problems will be waiting for Georgia.

Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili recommends to wait for the court's decision on the case of Merabishvili.

"The question arose with respect to Merabishvili, I also spoke about this. Moreover, the decision of the Strasbourg Court said that Ivanishvili and even President Saakashvili hindered the investigation, and I think that now the investigation is coming to an end, let`s wait for the court," Ivanishvili noted.