Georgian ex-MP detained for crossing border with Armenia

Georgian ex-MP detained for crossing border with Armenia
February 20, 2012 - 19:34 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - A former Georgian parliamentarian has been arrested in Georgia today, Feb 20 just as he entered the country from Armenia.

Valeri Gelbakhiani crossed the border as law-enforcers arrested him. He voluntarily surrendered and was transferred to prison, according to his son, who was traveling with him.

A court must confirm his detention within 24 hours.

The former member of parliament is convicted of planning a coup d’йtat in 2007 together with Badri Patarkatsishvili, a now deceased billionaire who owned a TV station and supported an opposition uprising during a period of major unrest in the country.

Gelbakhiani left Georgia in the wake of the trouble, but came back today with his son to visit his mother, who lies ill in a hospital. Gelbakhiani is currently being held by the Special Operative Department (SOD) of the Interior Ministry. His son’s current whereabouts are not known, but there are no charges against him, DFWatch reported.

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