Prepared by Messenger Staff
Lawyer Says Activist Nino Datashvili's Health Worsens in Prison, Trial Postponed
The trial of activist Nino Datashvili has been delayed after prison doctors confirmed her health had deteriorated to the point that she could not attend court.
Her lawyer, Tamar Gabodze, said the defense had formally requested a postponement, stressing that Datashvili should be present while her case is being reviewed. "What we warned about from the beginning has now been confirmed," Gabodze told reporters. "Detention has aggravated Nino's health, and the prosecution was obligated to consider this risk before requesting custody. Today it was proven in court that her condition has worsened."
According to Gabodze, the presiding judge read a letter signed by the penitentiary's chief doctor stating that Datashvili was unable to take part in the hearing due to her condition. She added that the session was also expected to address whether an expert opinion should be admitted as evidence, but that decision was postponed as well. The defense maintains the opinion was obtained unlawfully.
Datashvili was arrested on June 20 following an incident earlier that month and has been charged under Part 3 of Article 353 of Georgia's Criminal Code, which covers assault on a public servant while on duty. The charge carries a penalty ranging from a fine to a prison sentence of four to seven years.
Ex-Police Officer Pleads Guilty and Seeks Plea Deal
Former police officer Irakli Mukhadgverdeli admitted guilt in court on Monday and is now negotiating a plea bargain, according to statements made during the hearing.
Mukhadgverdeli has been linked to the case of activist Anastasia Zinovkina, who was arrested on drug charges during protests earlier this year. Zinovkina has accused him of being involved in drug trafficking and of threatening her with sexual violence.
"He threatened to rape me, grabbed my pants zipper," Zinovkina testified at an August 14 trial session, where she again described the circumstances of her detention and the harassment she says she endured.
According to investigators, Mukhadgverdeli fired several shots from a moving vehicle in Tbilisi on May 24, discharging his weapon into the oncoming lane. He was arrested the following day and charged with hooliganism under Part 3 of Article 239 of the Criminal Code. The statute covers violent or firearm-related acts that show contempt for public order and carries a prison term of four to seven years.
Although the court initially ordered his detention, he was released on bail on June 30 after the defense petitioned to change the preventive measure. At today's hearing, it was also revealed that Mukhadgverdeli is seeking a non-custodial sentence as part of his plea arrangement.
After his case became public on August 18, the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that Mukhadgverdeli no longer works for the agency and was dismissed following the incident.
