Pre-trial hearing in the case of Irakli Gharibashvili to be held on October 19

Lili Gelashvili, the lawyer for former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili, released a statement on social media noting that a pre-trial hearing in the bribery case will be held on Monday, October 19. According to the lawyer, the defense is initiating a legal dispute that should end in an acquittal in a court free from political pressure. Interpressnews+3

According to Lili Gelashvili, the 48 volumes of the case contain only the testimonies of former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and Vasil Mkheidze to confirm Irakli Gharibashvili's guilt, which the lawyer calls "incomplete." The lawyer also claims that the convicted individuals "bought" their freedom by providing these testimonies. Interpressnews+1

The lawyer also addressed the footage previously released by the Prosecutor General's Office, which showed gold bars and jewelry seized during a search. Gelashvili claims that the investigative body released the information without naming specific names so that the public would associate these items with Irakli Gharibashvili, although according to the lawyer, the case materials do not confirm that gold bars were seized from Gharibashvili's residence. Interpressnews