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French Prosecutor Against Georgian Ex-Defense Minister's Extradition


Former Georgian Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili arrives at Aix-en-Provence courthouse for am extradition hearing last month.
Former Georgian Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili arrives at Aix-en-Provence courthouse for am extradition hearing last month.
A prosecutor in the French city of Aix-en-Provence recommended that former Georgian Defense Minister David Kezerashvili not be extradited to Georgia.

Meanwhile, Kezerashvili’s lawyer, Shota Mindeli, said on January 31 that the final decision on his client's possible extradition is due on February 27.

Mindeli added that the decision whether Kezerashvili will be released on bail or not will be announced on February 3.

Kezerashvili was arrested in France in October on a weapons-trafficking charge.

Investigators in Georgia say Kezerashvili is suspected of money laundering, illegal commercial property sales in Tbilisi, and taking a $12 million bribe to facilitate alcohol smuggling in the Caucasus country.

Kezerashvili is a close associate of Georgia's former President Mihkeil Saakashvili, who stepped down in October after serving two terms.

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