Son Of Late Georgian Leader Charged With Attempted Murder
November 01, 2009
TBILISI -- The son of the late Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia has been charged with attempted murder, RFE/RL's Russian and Georgian services report.
Tsotne Gamsakhurdia is accused of shooting and wounding his neighbor, David Bazhelidze.
Tsotne Gamsakhurdia's relatives and supporters held a protest in front of Georgia's State Chancellery on October 30 demanding his release. They say the charge against him is politically motivated.
Gamsakhurdia's lawyer told journalists that her client was severely attacked during the incident and later woke up in a hospital.
In 2007, after clashes between the opposition and police, Tsotne Gamsakhurdia was charged with attempting to overthrow the government.
The Interior Ministry recorded an alleged conversation between Tsotne and his brother, Konstantin Gamsakhurdia, during which Tsotne called on the opposition to force its way into President Mikheil Saakashvili's home.
He received a suspended sentence.
Tsotne was also charged in 2008 with being a Russian spy.
Zviad Gamsakhurdia was the first democratically elected president of Georgia after it gained independence in 1991.