TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has pardoned one more person convicted in the so-called prison riot case and awarded him with Order of Vakhtang Gorgasali of the first class.

Revaz Charbadze, a former chairman of the purchasing department of the Defense Ministry, was sentenced to three years and nine months in jail for abuse of powers and mistreatment during a prison riot in 2006.

Charbadze was convicted in absentia. He left Georgia in 2012 and is wanted by Interpol. Former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia and six other people received the same sentence in the trial.

A few days ago, the president pardoned Akhalaia and published an open letter to explain his decision. On Tuesday, he also pardoned Charbadze awarding him for ‘merits in Georgia’s defense ability.’

“I thank him for bringing back the belief that Georgians can make the right decision for the hardest technical tasks with the right organization and leadership,” the president explained.

Charbadze’s mother was there to receive the distinction on his behalf.

“The time will soon come when Rezo (Revaz Charbadze) and specialists like him will be able to return to Georgia and participate in the next wave of building,” Saakashvili said.