TBILISI, DFWatch — The court released a former interior ministry official on bail until the trial, in the most controversial case among the recent detentions.

Tengiz Gunava on Sunday was sentenced to pay USD 6 000 bail. First he was detained for illegal possession of a weapon and drug use, but was released on bail. At that time, he said that the weapon and drugs were planted on him.

This method of detention was widely used while President Saakashvili’s party held government power, and a permanent source of criticism.

Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani has also expressed suspicions regarding the basis of the charges several times, but she says she will wait for the investigation to finish.

A few days ago he was for the second time detained, now on charges of abuse of powers and appropriation of 3 000 liters of petrol. Saturday another charge was added; that of injuring his driver Kakhaber Izoria in March of 2012.

Former government officials, whose party today are in minority, call the detention of Gunava political persecution.