Kobaladze's defence treats the trial on Mukhrovani mutiny as a political show

The City Court of Tbilisi has ruled to release General Kobaladze, accused of an attempt to overthrow the state power during the mutiny at the military base in Mukhrovani, right in the courtroom. The prosecutor had asked to imprison him for 12 years for a wilful military mutiny and for 1.6 years for illegal arm bearing.

Gela Nikoleishvili, advocate of the General, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the court found Kobaladze innocent on the first charge (under Article 315 of the Criminal Code of Georgia - armed mutiny) and guilty on the second accusation - under Article 235 (illegal keeping and bearing of arms). The judge awarded Kobaladze with eight months and six days of imprisonmentexactly the time he had spend in custody by that moment.

"From the very start of the process they had not a single proof for accusing defendant Kobaladze, but since the process turned out into a purely political show, the wanted to convict him as a state traitor," Mr Nikoleishvili said in his conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Other defendants were awarded with real and long terms. Koba Otanadze was sentenced to 29 years, Levan Amiridze - to 28 years, and Shota Gorgiashvili - to 19 years of imprisonment.

At the same time, the court also sentenced Kakha Kobaidze, former Commander of the 3rd Brigade, to three years in prison and fine of 10,000 laris, and David Sulkhanishvili, former Commander of the 1st Brigade - to three conditional years and fine of 20,000 laris.

The Prosecutor's Office demanded 4 years of prison to both top Commanders on the charge of non-reporting about the prepared crime; Mr Sulkhanishvili admitted his guilt, while Kobaidze rejected the accusations.

As reported by the "Gazeta.Ru", a remedial deal was concluded with defendant Zaza Sandodze (he was accused of illegal purchase or storage of firearms). The remaining 15 defendants were sentenced to 3-15 years of imprisonment.

Keti Bekauri, personal advocate of General Kobaladze, refused to give any political estimates to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, but mentioned that "all this case has political context."

She added that in two weeks the defence would bring a suit to the Tbilisi Appeal Court for the repeated consideration of the case.

: "At trial on military mutiny in Georgia, defendants have their last plea", "Georgia tries one of "Mukhrovani rebels"", "In Georgia, 13 defendants in Mukhrovani mutiny case get two years of prison".