Irakli Mkheidze, the former Deputy Minister of Health of Georgia, has been identified as one of the defendants in a high-profile case involving pharmacy drug abuse and the black market for psychotropic substances, according to TV Pirveli, which obtained details of the court hearing.
Mkheidze served as deputy minister during the period when the Ministry of Health was headed by Zurab Azarashvili. However, the investigation concerns an earlier period when the accused headed the Regulation Agency for Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities.
Investigators accuse Irakli Mkheidze of abuse of power for personal gain and against the public interest. According to the prosecutor in the case, Grigol Nishnianidze, the former official assisted a criminal group engaged in the illegal sale of psychotropic drugs.
According to the prosecution, the investigation is ongoing, and the circle of suspects could be expanded.
“Hundreds of people have already been questioned in connection with the case. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have been involved in the alleged criminal activities will be questioned. If evidence is obtained against any individual and signs of a crime are identified, the prosecutor’s office will make the appropriate legal decision,” the prosecutor noted.
On June 24, a briefing by the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance revealed that 17 members of a criminal group had been detained in connection with the pharmacy drug abuse case. Three others were placed on a wanted list. The names of the suspects were not disclosed at the time.
The Tbilisi City Court hearing to determine pre-trial restrictions lasted late into the night. Defense lawyers filed a motion to recuse Judge Mzia Garshaulashvili, but the request was denied.
Later, the judge closed the proceedings to the public and asked journalists and other attendees to leave the courtroom. This followed a motion by the prosecutor, who cited “offensive remarks from the courtroom.”
Following the hours-long hearing, all defendants were remanded in custody. In addition, three more individuals were placed on the wanted list, including Mikheil Chokhelia, whom media outlets link to the inner circle of former Georgian Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze.
