Dito Chubinidze, journalist and editor of the newspaper Asaval-Dasavali, has been released from custody. His pre-trial detention was replaced with bail set at 4,000 GEL (approximately $1,500).
“Thank God, and thanks to [lawyer] Zaza Khatiashvili, my friend who fought for me. We won because truth was on our side. Huge thanks to Georgian society, which supported me so much. Apparently, all of this together yielded this result, combined with international pressure.
I would never have agreed to any deal or plea bargain with them under any circumstances; that was entirely out of the question. This case will reach Strasbourg, and that is why everything combined, alongside Mr. Zaza’s outstanding professionalism, brought about this outcome. Thank you so much to you and to everyone who stood by me,” Chubinidze told Netgazeti following his release.
The detention order previously issued by the Tbilisi City Court was overturned today, October 29, by the Court of Appeals. Consideration of the case will resume in the City Court.
“We demand punishment for everyone who brought these unlawful charges. This indictment must be dismissed. All journalists are under threat,” attorney Zaza Khatiashvili told us.
Dito Chubinidze is accused of sabotaging the work of the State Border Delimitation and Demarcation Commission of Georgia and of high treason. He faces up to four years in prison.
