Georgian ex-defense minister Irakly Okruashvili released on $6 mln bail
A court in Tbilisi released Georgian ex-defense minister Irakly Okruashvili on bail set at 10 million lari (over $6 million), the deputy prosecutor general told the press on Monday.
Nikoloz Gvaraviya said Okruashvili, an outspoken critic of President Mikheil Saakashvili, had pleaded guilty to professional negligence and partially guilty to charges of extortion.
Okruashvili withdrew his charges against the Georgian president. The former minister has also been charged with blackmail, money laundering, and abuse of office.
He was detained in late September, days after announcing the creation of an opposition movement, For United Georgia, and criticizing Saakashvili`s policies.
Okruashvili`s lawyers have said the authorities are obstructing their efforts to provide a defense for their client. They called the arrest political, and linked it to Okruashvili`s comments made in an Imedi TV interview two weeks ago, in which he accused President Saakashvili of corruption and an attempt to kill businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili.
Okruashvili also alleged Georgian authorities had covertly planned to seize control over the breakaway republic of South Ossetia in 2006.
Saakashvili denies accusations of corruption, and has pledged not to interfere in Okruashvili`s case.
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