TBILISI, October 8 (RIA Novosti) - A Tbilisi court has fixed a sum of 10 million lari (over $6 million) for the release on bail of Georgian ex-defense minister Irakly Okruashvili, a deputy prosecutor general told the press on Monday.
Nikoloz Gvaraviya said Okruashvili, an outspoken critic of President Mikheil Saakashvili, had pleaded guilty to professional negligence and partially guilty to charges of extortion. The former minister has also been charged with blackmail, money laundering, and abuse of office.
Okruashvili has withdrawn his accusations of corruption against the president, but one of his lawyers said her client had testified under duress, and in the absence of his legal counsel.
"None of Okruashvili's lawyers were present during the questioning," Eka Beselia said, adding that she had been denied access to her client, who remains in custody.
The leader of the Georgian People's Party, Koba Davitashvili, has urged the country's population to contribute whatever they can so that the bail can be paid as soon as possible.
Prosecutors stressed that the offer for release on bail does not imply that Okruashvili has been cleared of any charges against him.
The former minister was detained in late September, days after announcing the creation of an opposition movement, For United Georgia.
Okruashvili's lawyers have said the authorities are obstructing their efforts to provide a defense for their client. They called the arrest political, and linked it to Okruashvili's comments made in an Imedi TV interview two weeks ago, in which he accused President Saakashvili of corruption and an attempt to kill businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili. Okruashvili also alleged Georgian authorities had covertly planned to seize control over the breakaway republic of South Ossetia in 2006.
Badri Patarkatsishvili left Georgia as soon as footage of Okruashvili's interview was aired on national television. "Patarkatsishvili left Georgia on board his own jet. That happened 15 minutes after the Okruashvili footage was broadcast," Rustavi 2 TV channel said.
Saakashvili denies accusations of corruption, and has pledged not to interfere in Okruashvili's case.
