Thursday, October 18, 2007, #199 (1466)

Authorities detain brother of close Okruashvili ally
By Eter Tsotniashvili

The brother of businessman Kibar Khalvashi, a close associate of arrested ex-minister Irakli Okruashvili, was detained on the night of October 16.

Authorities are current seeking Khalvashi for questioning on an alleged graft scheme involving Okruashvili.
Special Operations Department officers arrested Niaz Khalvashi, the businessman’s brother, without any explanation, according to his wife. She was on the balcony of their home in Batumi waiting for Khalvashi to return home when she saw him taken, she said.

“Suddenly a car stopped and this man forced [Khalvashi] into it,” she told Imedi TV.
The Human Rights Ombudsman’s representative in Batumi, Giorgi Charkviani, says he made contact with Khalvashi two hours after he was taken for questioning and has talked with the head of the Batumi Special Operations Department.

The Batumi Special Operations Department head said Khalvashi was not under arrest but was simply cooperating with the authorities, according to Charkviani. Khalvashi was also reported to have declined legal representation.

Niaz Khalvashi heads the Batumi branch of Arti Group, a distribution company owned by his brother Kibar, and is the main shareholder of the firm Priza.

Khalvashi’s lawyer, Ramin Papidze, says he has not communicated with his client, despite contacting the Prosecutor General’s Office several times, and does not know whether or not Khalvashi is undergoing questioning.

“More than 12 hours have passed since his arrest and I am not allowed to meet him. I have not been informed as to what is happening nor have I been told of the reason for the arrest,” Papidze commented.
Kibar Khalvashi’s wife has said her family is under surveillance at their home in Tbilisi’s Vake district.

Nona Khalvashi alleged they were approached by officials at the same time Niaz was detained, although they refused to cooperate until they had legal representation.

Nona Khalvashi suggested that authorities are paying close attention to the Khalvashi family because of their close ties with former defense minister Okruashvili.

Okruashvili was released on bail October 9, and is awaiting trial on charges of extortion, money laundering, abuse of power and criminal negligence.



© The Messenger. All rights reserved. Please read our disclaimer before using any of the published materials.