12:00, 23 October 2010

In Georgia, Appeal Court upholds verdict on Mukhrovani mutiny

The Tbilisi Appeal Court has upheld the verdict of the lower instance on the case dealing with events on May 5, 2009, in the Mukhrovani tank battalion.

The panel of three judges has rejected the appellate claim of 17 former military commanders who had been sentenced to long prison terms and were protesting against the decision of the Tbilisi City Court of January 11, 2010.

The Appeal Court also rejected the claim of appeal lodged by the prosecution and asking to change indictment qualification to seven civilians charged on the same case. The prosecutor's office had accused them of a mutiny with the aim to overthrow the government, but the Tbilisi City Court had ruled that their actions were not a mutiny, but just assistance in disobedience.

At the sitting on October 21, the Judicial Panel headed by Judge Matara Alaniya announced the verdict 50 minutes after the court had heard the final arguments of advocates and prosecution, the Civil Georgia reports.

The decision of the Appeal Court can be appealed against at the Supreme Court of Georgia within one month, the "Georgia Online" reports.