TBILISI, DFWatch–The former head of Georgia’s National Olympic Committee and the founder of Artesi Ltd were released on 200 000 lari (USD 120 000) bail each and will have 30 days to pay the bail.

The Prosecutor’s Office asked for 300 000 bail for each of them. 16 people, including the lawyer Mamuka Chabashvili, guaranteed that the accused will not hide from the investigation. Among the guarantors were well known writer Davit Turashvili, director Davit Doiashvili and composer Matsatso Sebiskveradze.

The next court hearing in the case will be held on October 16.

Gia Natsvlishvili, former MP and head of the Olympic Committee, and Zaza Kapanadze, founder of Artesi Ltd, are charged with illegal appropriation of about USD 2.5 million of state money. https://dfwatch.net/georgian-olympic-committee-chair-charged-with-embezzlement-30752

If convicted, Natsvlishvili and Kapanadze may face from nine to twelve years in jail.