Arrest Warrant Issued on Adjara’s Ex-Leader Abashidze

Arrest warrant was issued on ex-leader of Adjara Autonomous Republic Aslan Abashidze after a court in Batumi, Adjara ruled in favor an appeal by the prosecutor’s office to sentence Abashidze to three-month pre-trial custody on December 5.

The trial was held in Abashidze’s absence, as the ex-leader now resides in Moscow following his ouster in May, 2004.

The Georgian General Prosecutor’s Office brought criminal charges against the ex-leader of Adjara last July. Abashidze is charged with alleged misuse of power and misappropriation of state funds, illegal detentions, as well as with masterminding terrorist acts, involving blowing up two bridges in Adjara last May.

Abashidze gave up power after the central authorities in Tbilisi provided security guarantees. President Saakashvili’s administration even pledged that it would not seek Abashidze’s extradition.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)