Verdict into Israeli Businessmen’s Case Expected on Wednesday

The judge into the trial of two Israeli businessmen charged with offering bribe to the Georgian Deputy Finance Minister retired on Monday to consider the verdict, which will be delivered on March 30.

The court heard on Monday closing statements from the two defendants – Ron Fuchs and Zeev Frenkiel, both of which have again denied charges saying that they are victims of the Georgian government’s “plot”.

Fuchs, who has a long-standing USD 98.1 million dispute with Georgia, which he won in the international arbitration, told the court that he had been trapped and arrested by the Georgian government with a goal to force him reject his multi-million claim.

He said that senior government officials, including PM Nika Gilauri, were involved in “the plot” against him and complained over judge’s earlier decision not to summon PM Gilauri and other senior Georgian officials for questioning.

When he referred to the court as “so called”, the judge interrupted him and told to show respect towards the judiciary. Fuchs, who refused to testify before the court, also said that verdict other than acquittal would damage Georgia’s reputation and frighten off potential investors.