**Former Deputy Defense Minister Speaks Out Against Charges**
In a Tbilisi City Court hearing today, former Deputy Defense Minister Giorgi Khaindrava responded to charges against him by stating that he simply “does not agree with them.” This comment came after Judge Irakli Khuskivadze asked if the charges were clear to him.
**Three Defendants Face Pre-Trial Detention Hearing**
The hearing is focused on determining whether pre-trial detention measures should be imposed on the three defendants. The prosecution is requesting the strictest measure – imprisonment – while the defense is asking for bail. Vladimer Ghudushauri, former head of the Procurement Department at the Ministry of Defense, is exercising his right to remain silent. Both Vasil Mkheidze, brother-in-law of then-Minister Juansher Burchuladze, and Giorgi Khaindrava are denying the charges.
**Charges Allege Embezzlement and Aiding in Embezzlement**
According to the indictment, Ghudushauri and Khaindrava allegedly embezzled a large sum of money with the help of Mkheidze. The prosecution claims that they intentionally created a non-competitive environment during the procurement process for an MRI machine for the military hospital. This resulted in artificial inflation of the equipment’s price through fictitious contracts, leading to the embezzlement of 1,333,728 GEL belonging to the Ministry of Defense.
**Severe Penalties Possible**
The case is being investigated under Article 182 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which involves embezzlement of large sums through abuse of official position by a group acting in prior agreement, and aiding in embezzlement. The charges carry a sentence of 7 to 11 years of imprisonment.
**What’s Next?**
The Tbilisi City Court will continue to hear the case and determine whether pre-trial detention measures should be imposed on the defendants. As the hearing progresses, it remains to be seen how the prosecution and defense will present their cases, and what outcome the court will decide upon.
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