By RIA Novosti
Tbilisi : Former Georgian Defense Minister Irakly Okruashvili, who faces several criminal charges in his country, is determined to continue his political activities, his lawyer said on Monday.
Eki Beselia, who is now in Paris with her client, said Okruahsvili had never quit politics even though Georgian authorities had tried to silence him by arresting him.
“Now that he has been freed from custody, he will continue his political activities. When this happens, and in what form, will be known in the near future. He is the leader of our party, and all our decisions will be coordinated with him,” said Beselia, who is also a member of Okruashvili’s For a United Georgia movement.
A Paris court ruled on January 30 to release on bail the former minister, who is accused by Tbilisi of corruption-related crimes.
Okruashvili, once a key ally of newly re-elected Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, was extradited to France from Germany, where he was arrested last November at the request of Georgian authorities.
He has been charged in the South Caucasus country with abuse of office, money laundering and corruption, and is currently seeking political asylum in France.
A Paris court is to consider Georgia’s request for Okraushvili’s extradition on February 27.