Tension gripped the country during the elections, marking Georgia's first peaceful transfer of power through democratic means. However, given the significant experience gap between the winning and losing parties, the atmosphere was fraught with heightened apprehension.
Amidst unsubstantiated accusations from the victorious Georgian Dream, alleging provocations by the defeated government, the rhetoric took on a dangerous tone. Sensing the escalating tension and holding no official post in the government, Akhalaia chose to temporarily leave the country, preempting any potential provocations until the new government officially assumed office and appointed its cabinet ministers. He returned after one month
Upon his return, despite facing public accusations—deemed entirely fabricated and politically motivated—Akhalaia felt compelled to address them, acknowledging his duty to answer to the self-imposed questions, irrespective of personal consequences. Even amidst a relentless slander campaign orchestrated by the new government, he upheld his commitment to accountability and the rule of law, affirming readiness to cooperate with any official investigation pertaining to his work.
In a resolute statement, he declared:”
"Recently, representatives of the Georgian Dream have launched a slanderous campaign against me. Certain politicians are spreading speculations that I am guilty of torture and corruption, insinuating that I fled the country to evade justice.
I want to publicly clarify that I left the country temporarily. My departure was motivated by the desire to avoid any perception that I would interfere with the transfer of power after the free and fair elections on October 1st. Despite my disagreement with the policies of the Georgian Dream, I view the elections as a crucial step towards reform and hope the new political leadership will uphold this democratic progress.
While I do not officially speak from the name of any political group, I must emphasize that I have always aligned with President Saakashvili's policies, serving the Georgian state and its citizens diligently throughout my career.
Our fight against the entrenched criminal elements in Georgia was arduous and risky. Nonetheless, we remained steadfast in our belief that combating organized crime was paramount for our nation's security. Despite any flaws, we successfully dismantled the criminal networks, creating a safer environment for our children. However, we must remain vigilant as crime persists, even beyond prison walls, posing a significant threat to every Georgian citizen.
Our efforts extended to reforming the defense system, ensuring the welfare of our officers and soldiers, enhancing defense capabilities, modernizing armaments, and integrating with NATO. My primary objective was to safeguard peace and security, especially in the face of potential military provocations from occupying powers. I take pride in the Georgian Army's transformation into one of our nation's most trusted institutions, earning accolades from our international partners.
Throughout my tenure, I have remained steadfast in protecting Georgia's interests. I firmly believe that human freedom and democracy are indispensable for our nation's success.
I want to reassure the Georgian people that I am accountable for my actions and decisions. Despite the politically motivated accusations from Georgian Dream representatives, I am prepared to cooperate with relevant authorities and address any inquiries regarding my work.
Georgia is my homeland, and I am deeply committed to its progress and prosperity. I express my gratitude to President Saakashvili for entrusting me with the responsibility of participating in the reform process, despite its challenges. I did not intend to leave my country, and I remain steadfast in my dedication to Georgia's success and the well-being of its citizens in all my future endeavors."
The government's reaction was to initiate a criminal case within three hours, the questioning of dozens of witnesses was falsified in a few hours, and now the official motive of the threat of fleeing from the country and the threat of international contacts being cut off in his favor has been arrested.
Akhalaia was placed in the strictest prison in Georgia, where all the leaders of organized criminal groups were serving sentences against whom he himself fought to restore the functions of the law and the state. Regarding the treatment of the military service in the first case, he was fully justified, and in the consideration of the second case, as a sign of protest, he did not participate in the complaint made by the leaders of the criminal world. During the examination of the evidence at the public court proceedings through Akhalai and his lawyers, it became clear that there was no real evidence for these accusations, therefore Akhalai was fully acquitted of the charges in which he participated without any problems, but in the second case, the testimony of the leaders of criminal organized crime was fully shared by the court that Akhalai was considering as a sign of protest. He was not present and the court found him guilty, regardless of the fact that there was no more or less objective evidence in the case, except for the leaders of organized crime groups, whose legal isolation Akhalaia was engaged in just 6 years ago, in the latter case, it was with this motivation that it was impossible to clear him with the testimonies of the leaders of organized crime. President Saakashvili immediately pardoned and released the person who created the biggest legal problems for organized crime in the history of Georgia. But despite the fact that Akhalaia was completely justified in one case and in the other case he was completely freed from responsibility on the basis of the presidential pardon act, he still could not get out of prison. On the same day, the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia filed charges in another criminal case and his pretrial detention was extended, despite the fact that the period of pretrial detention imposed by the Constitution has already expired. The court fully agreed with the illegal request of the prosecutor's office and again sentenced Akhalaia to pre-trial detention for more than 9 months.
When commenting on the acquittal, a member of the parliament from the ruling party, made the following comment to the media: “Whether he will be acquitted or not, Bacho Akhalaia should still be in prison.” In spite of the absurdity, the Court began to consider this case, which lasted for several months, and it became clear at these public trials that we were dealing with the government's desire to try Akhalaia at any cost, even though there was no evidence that he committed this crime. He could have committed, the authorities had a great desire to convict Akhalaia, but the public trials left no other way and Akhalaia was acquitted in the second case, but he was not able to leave the prison this time either, because a few days before the acquittal was issued by the Supreme Court, the prosecutor's office filed new charges and arrested for the fourth time. Akhalaya is already in prison. Court again did not take into account that the constitutional 9-month pre-trial detention period was established and Akhalaia's pre-trial detention was increased to 23 months, this is the specific time he spent in pre-trial detention. illegal treatments, the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia started the process of acquitting all convicted Russian spies, with the intention of creating a basis for the trial of the new one, and then presented their testimonies as evidence against the former Minister of Defense and Internal Affairs of the country. At the hearings where people convicted of espionage in Russia were given to us in the court, and among them so cynically that one of them even bothered to come from Moscow and join the court from Moscow via Skype.
During the initial years of his imprisonment, Akhalaia faced severe restrictions, including the denial of visits from family members and the right to use a telephone. Consequently, his wife, Anna, took the initiative to become a lawyer by passing relevant exams and obtaining certification. Throughout the subsequent years, Anna diligently represented him, making frequent visits to the prison to offer support.
Throughout his entire nine-year imprisonment, Akhalaia endured the harsh confines of a solitary cell measuring only 9 square meters. These conditions imposed extreme and cynical restrictions on his daily life
Akhalaia Outside Prosecutors' Office Before Arrest . 7 Nov 2012
Akhalaia Released After Nearly a Decade: Standing at Prison Gates
1 March 2022
At Prison Gates
1 March 2022
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