13:32, 26 June 2004

Former energy minister in grave condition in prison

The former energy minister of Georgia, David Mirtskhulava, was moved to Prison 7 of Tbilisi in the evening of June 24. His lawyer, Eka Beseliya, has already informed the court in Strasbourg of it. Ms Beseliya said Mr Mirtskhulava was in grave condition. He had reportedly survived an apparent death on June 24, but the prison administration had not even had analgesics. Members of his family handed medicaments over to him on June 24. The investigation into the criminal case opened against David Mirtskhulava is over now.

The former energy minister was arrested in December 2003. The office of the prosecutor general instituted criminal proceedings against him in connection with fraud with Georgia's debts to Armenia for the supply of electric power estimated at several millions of laris. David Mirtskhulava's lawyers have appealed the issue of his detention in the Strasbourg court.

Author: Natiya Djindcharadze, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot