According to Prosecutor, the decision to release the former deputy head of the State Security Service on bail was based on the reduction of the risk that he might influence witnesses
According to Prosecutor Ana Lekiashvili, the decision to release Levan Akhobadze—the former deputy head of the State Security Service who is accused of a corruption-related crime—on bail was based on the reduction of the risk that he might influence witnesses.
The prosecutor stated that Levan Akhobadze also confirmed the circumstances of the case.
"During the court hearing, the accused confirmed the circumstances of the case, and the defense acknowledged the majority of the evidence as undisputed. As you know, the risk of influencing witnesses serves as grounds for a preventive measure; in this instance, that was a primary factor. Procedural law dictates that when new circumstances arise—such as the mitigation or neutralization of the risk of influencing witnesses—there are grounds to alter the preventive measure. The defense filed a motion to replace Levan Akhobadze’s detention with bail set at 500,000 GEL, coupled with a ban on leaving the country pending a final decision on the case. Given that the risks identified during the initial preventive measure hearing—which formed the basis for that measure—had somewhat diminished, the preventive measure was changed from detention to bail," said Lekiashvili.
Levan Akhobadze, the former Deputy Head of the State Security Service who is accused of a corruption-related crime, has been released from the courtroom on bail of 500,000 GEL.
This decision was made by Judge Nino Tarashvili of the Tbilisi City Court.
The defense filed a motion to replace the pre-trial detention measure imposed on Levan Akhobadze with release on bail, a request to which the prosecution consented.
Levan Akhobadze has also been prohibited from leaving the country until the verdict is announced.
Levan Akhobadze did not make any comments for the media.
For context, Levan Akhobadze was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service for accepting a bribe of an especially large amount. According to the investigation, the former deputy head of the State Security Service promised an entrepreneur assistance in recovering funds through intermediaries; in exchange, he demanded a bribe of 500,000 GEL, though they ultimately agreed on a payment of 250,000 GEL. The detainee has been charged under Article 338, Part 3, Sub-clause "e" of the Criminal Code of Georgia (a public official directly demanding and receiving money to perform an act in favor of the bribe-giver and to use their official authority to achieve a similar objective, committed on an especially large scale), an offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of 11 to 15 years.
