givi-targamadze

Givi Targamadze is wanted in Russia. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A court in Moscow Thursday issued a warrant for the arrest in absentia of a Georgian politician who is accused of organizing mass riots in Russia.

Russian media writes that the court agreed with investigators to impose restraint measures and confine Givi Targamadze, a member of parliament in Georgia, to imprisonment in absentia.

The judge explained that the suspect ‘actively consults’ opposition movements in different states and ‘continues criminal actions’ while free; so he can ‘be able to complete his intent to organize riots in Russia’. The court therefore sentenced him to detention.

The investigator working on the case said at the trial that the allegations are substantiated by testimonies of two witnesses, video and audio evidence and an expert opinion.


Last week, Russia declared the lawmaker for President Saakashvili’s National Movement party internationally wanted. Russian media writes that the investigation revealed that he is ‘hiding’ in Georgia.

The case broke a few months ago, with the reports in Russian media that the well-known Saakashvili ally had paid opposition activists in Russia USD 35 per month to take part in rallies.

Georgian law forbids the extradition of its own citizens, and authorities have ruled out that Targamadze may be handed over.