TBILISI, DFWatch – Tbilisi City Court today held a pre-trial hearing on in the case of two persons accused of being responsible for a chlorine leak in Tbilisi July 3, which resulted in the death of one person and tens of injured.

A water company claims that its supplier of chorine, Kristali Ltd, was responsible of the quality of chlorine but also the safety measures.

Director of Kristali Ltd Levan Datuashvili is now under preliminary detention as well as Gocha Kulechishvili, who represents Sentineli GMG, which is also given responsibility for what happened.

Sentineli GMG provides medical equipment, chemicals, agro-chemicals, and liquid chlorine. Among its partners are the companies Georgian Water and Power, and United Water Supply, but their contract with United Water Supply ended at the end of 2011, when the water company announced a tender and Kristali Ltd won it, taking responsibility for providing chlorine.

Both of the accused may face from three to five years in prison if found guilty. Hearings are scheduled to be held at 10:00 September 10.