Elguja Tsomaia was sentenced to prison for owning the apartment in Tbilisi, where Mikheil Sakaashvili was detained.
The prosecution claims that he is accused of covering up a crime relating to Saakashvili‘s arrival in Georgia.
Tsomaia reportedly helped Saakashvili to enter Georgia, and he ceded his apartment to the former president.
The trial took place today, 4 October. Tsomaia’s charges were filed under the second part Article 375 of Georgia’s Criminal Code which covers a serious crime. Beka Basilaia and other lawyers for Tsomaia say that the charge is unfounded because the criminal code doesn’t include a crime of this nature.
Levan Vepkhvadze, the prosecutor, notes that the article in question (Article 357) is not only about covering up a crime but also about promoting justice.
He says that citizens of Georgia who live in this article are required to cooperate with the investigation.
The defense demanded that the accused be released from the courtroom.
Zurab and Shalva Tsotsoria – father and son, both employees of Poti Port Terminal – were arrested earlier today for covering up a crime related to Mikheil Sakaashvili’s visit to Georgia.
The family of detainees denies any connection with Mikheil Sakaashvili. According to them, it is connected to a close relation with Elguja Tsomaia.
By Ana Dumbadze
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