All Charges Dropped Against Former Georgia Defense Minister

February 07, 2013

An appeals court in Tbilisi has dropped the last of the criminal charges faced by former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili.

It was for alleged negligence in the purchase of faulty ammunition.

Last month, the court overturned an 11-year prison sentence imposed on Okruashvili in 2008 in absentia for alleged bribery.

Okruashvili left Georgia in 2007 to avoid the trial.

Also in January, the court dropped charges against Okruashvili that accused him of abuse of office, illegal business activities, and the formation of an illegal armed group.

Okruashvili returned to Georgia in November, days after the country's new government launched investigations against a number of former Interior Ministry officials.

After the court decision on February 7, Okruashvili told journalists he will demand a public and personal apology from President Mikheil Saakashvili for his "persecution."

Based on reporting by Trend.az and Interfax