A court has ordered pre-trial detention for six defendants in the “Georgian Railway” case. Former CEO of the company, David Peradze, and another accused individual were remanded in custody in absentia. The ruling was delivered by Tbilisi City Court Judge Eka Barbakadze.
The prosecution had petitioned for the defendants to be held in pre-trial detention. Prosecutor Ani Lekiashvili argued that there was a risk of the suspects committing further crimes, influencing witnesses, or destroying evidence.
As a reminder, the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service of Georgia has brought criminal charges against David Peradze, the former CEO of “Georgian Railway”, and seven other individuals.
Two of the suspects, including Peradze, have been placed on a wanted list, while the others were detained in Tbilisi on the basis of a court warrant.
The investigation is being conducted under charges of large-scale fraud, money laundering, and the fabrication and use of forged documents. If convicted, the defendants face between 9 and 12 years in prison.
The Anti-Corruption Agency stated that the investigation is ongoing to identify other potential members of the organized group and bring them to justice.
