Two criminal investigations have been opened in Ukraine regarding crimes against Mikheil Saakashvili.
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Criminal Law and White Collar Crime
21 January 2022
In Ukraine, two criminal investigations have been initiated following claims made by Mikheil Saakashvili's attorneys. This was announced by Yevhen Hrushovets, a partner at Ario Law Firm, during a meeting with members of the Georgian Parliament. The discussions during the meeting also touched upon matters of parliamentary oversight concerning the circumstances surrounding Mikheil Saakashvili.
Criminal investigations have been initiated under Articles 365 ("Exceeding Official Powers by a Law Enforcement Officer") and 127 ("Torture") of the Ukrainian Criminal Code.
It's been reported that Mikheil Saakashvili recently reached out to Ukrainian authorities, urging them to relay information to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine regarding the torture and inhumane treatment he suffered while imprisoned in Georgia. According to Saakashvili's attorney, Yevhen Hrushovets, corresponding statements have been submitted to both the Office of the Prosecutor General and the State Bureau of Investigations.
"The defense team views the inclusion of information on crimes against Saakashvili as a significant step towards his return to Ukraine. Given the Georgian government's refusal to engage in dialogue with either the defense team or even representatives of the Ukrainian government, this may represent the sole opportunity for communication," stated Yevhen Hrushovets.
He elaborated that within the framework of international cooperation, Ukrainian law enforcement will not only have the opportunity to identify and interrogate witnesses but also to raise inquiries regarding Saakashvili's extradition to Ukraine.
The attorney also noted that he received correspondence from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating that the Georgian authorities are not responding to requests from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to permit Ukrainian medical professionals access to Saakashvili.
"In light of this, we've conducted meetings with European diplomats who are prepared to contribute to the defense of Mikheil Saakashvili," stated Yevhen Hrushovets.
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