Germany Hands Okruashvili Over to France

German authorities have transferred former Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili to France, where he will remain in custody, Georgian media sources have reported.

The move comes after Germany turned Okruashvili?s asylum request over to France, because it was the French embassy in Tbilisi that had issued Okruashvili with a shengin visa allowing him access to the European Union. It is still unclear whether France will now also assume responsibility for Okruashvili?s extradition case.

Okruashvili was arrested in Germany in late November following a Georgian request for his extradition. Okruashvili launched an opposition party on September 25 but he was arrested two days later and charged with large-scale bribery through extortion, money laundering and negligence while serving as minister. Later, he was released on GEL 10 million bail. On November 1, Okruashvili, according to the General Prosecutor?s Office, was allowed to travel to Germany ?for medical treatment.? Okruashvili, however, subsequently alleged that he had been forced onto the plane and sent to Germany against his will.

Mikheil Saakashvili said recently that Okruashvili, once his closest political associate, was his ?biggest mistake.?

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