The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office charged Luka Kurtanidze, former Member of Parliament and veteran wrestler, with “domestic violence committed on the grounds of intolerance towards the equality of women and men, intentional damage to the property of a family member, and failure to comply with the requirements and obligations provided for by a protective order.”

According to the investigative agency, the defendant faces up to five years’ imprisonment.

“The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office has charged one person with violence against his ex-wife, intentional damage to the property of a family member, and failure to comply with the requirements and obligations set out in a protective order against a family member, due to intolerance of equality between women and men.

An investigation conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs established that the defendant violated the requirements and obligations stipulated by a protective order issued by a court decision, which prohibited him from approaching, communicating with, and visiting places and homes where the victim (his former spouse) was located. He approached the victim’s residential home twice, including on July 25 in Kobuleti, when he physically assaulted his ex-wife and damaged her car.

Law enforcement officers arrested the defendant the same day.

He is charged under Article 126 Prima, Part 1 of Georgia’s Criminal Code (violence against a family member that caused physical pain), Article 11 Prima 187, Part 1 (intentional damage to a family member’s property that caused significant harm), and Article 11 Prima 381 Prima, Part 1, two episodes (failure to comply with requirements and obligations stipulated by a protective order against a family member), which carries a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment,” the statement reads.

The Prosecutor’s Office informed that it will submit a petition to the court within the legally designated timeframe to seek the defendant’s detention as a preventive measure. The investigation of the criminal case is ongoing.