The Supreme Court of Georgia will announce the verdict on the case of Gigi Ugulava, the former Mayor of Tbilisi today.
Ugulava's lawyer Beka Basilaia speaks about procedural violations. The human rights defender says he has no positive expectations about the verdict.
Basilaia appealed to the Supreme Court on February 6 with the motion to dismiss Judge Shalva Tadumadze.
The lawyer thinks that Tadumadze cannot be objective regarding this case.
"Shalva Tadumadze held the position of the Prosecutor General at the time when the Court of Appeals discussed the case. It makes us think he cannot be objective. It is impossible to represent the Prosecutor's Office, and to be a judge at the same time," Beka Basilaia said.
Tbilisi City Court found Gigi Ugulava, the former Mayor of Tbilisi and four other persons guilty, regarding the so-called fund's case in February 2018.
The court interrogated businessman Giorgi Kapanadze as a witness in the case of Gigi Ugulava and businessman Alexander Gogokhia on December 5, 2019. According to the witness Gigi Ugulava, Davit Kezerashvili, Giorgi Ghoniashvili, and Alexandre Gogokhia were involved in the illegal legalization of money. He said that while in London, a man handed him a threatening letter. Kapanadze claims that he was forced to remain silent and do not testify against Ugulava and Kezerashvili.
The investigation accused Gigi Ugulava and Alexandre Gogokhia of money laundering and the legalization of illicit income. Besides, Gigi Ugulava is also charged with abuse of power and organizing and forcing group action.
