Court grants bail to UNM member Murtaz Zodelava

The opposition United National Movement party member Murtaz Zodelava has been granted bail of 25,000 GEL as a preventive measure.

The decision was announced today by a judge of the Tbilisi City Court. Zodelava will be transferred to a penitentiary facility and released upon payment of bail.

The Prosecutor General’s Office had requested bail in his case.

Zodelava was arrested by the State Security Service on September 11. He was initially charged under Article 353 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to resistance against a police officer or other government official.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, evidence shows that Zodelava unlawfully interfered in the activities of a State Security Service investigator. Specifically, he allegedly attempted to conceal the mobile phone of Levan Khabeishvili, which was subject to a court-ordered search and seizure.

As a result, Zodelava was ultimately charged under Part 1 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code, which concerns illegal interference in the activities of an investigator with the aim of hindering a comprehensive and objective investigation.