Prepared by Messenger Staff
Former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze Requests Change in Detention Due to Health
Former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze appeared in Tbilisi City Court today, requesting a reconsideration of his detention. Burchuladze said he has health problems that require daily rehabilitation, which he cannot receive in the penitentiary system.
At the hearing, Burchuladze told the court, "The substantial change is the health condition that the defense has named. I confirm this, and this requires daily rehabilitation, namely massages, etc., which cannot be done in a penitentiary institution."
He also argued that other circumstances have changed. According to Burchuladze, the evidence-gathering process is complete, and the prosecution has failed to present direct or sufficient evidence. "Until now, the prosecution had time to obtain evidence that could serve as a basis for the judge to apply a strict measure. What has essentially changed is that the prosecution was unable to obtain direct evidence," he said.
Burchuladze added that he has a rare disease that is not treated nationwide and cited personal reasons, including his responsibility for eight children, including a minor.
The trial also involves former Deputy Defense Minister Giorgi Khaindrava, Vladimer Gudushauri, head of the ministry's procurement department, and Vasil Mkheidze, Burchuladze's brother-in-law. All defendants except Gudushauri were present at the hearing.
Saakashvili Says State Security Service Probe Opens the Door for International Involvement
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili criticized the State Security Service's investigation into the BBC's reporting, calling the probe superficial and ineffective. He shared his reaction on social media, saying the findings allow international actors to step in.
Saakashvili wrote that the authorities "completed the profanation of the investigation as quickly as possible and justified everything," adding that, in his view, the responsibility now lies with Bidzina Ivanishvili and his supporters.
According to Saakashvili, the investigation showed disregard for human rights. "We are dealing with barbarians who do not care about trampling on the rights, health and lives of people in order to maintain their own usurped power," he wrote.
He also criticized the Health Minister, saying the minister spoke "with pleasure" about actions described in the BBC report. Saakashvili argued that such behavior reflects "the highest level of dehumanization."
Saakashvili claimed that during his presidency the use of certain chemical substances was prohibited, and that the Georgian Dream government later changed Ministry of Internal Affairs order N1002 to allow them.
He also condemned doctors who, in his view, protect those responsible. "One of them examined me after I was poisoned and turned a blind eye to the symptoms that American and European doctors discovered in me a few months later," he wrote. Saakashvili said these doctors should be held accountable.
He added that the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture previously found that decisions about his treatment were made not by medical staff but by security agencies. "I think the same applies to everyone else," Saakashvili wrote.
