Georgian ex-prime minister Merabishvili to await trial in jail
GeorgiaOn May 22, a court in Georgia has ordered that Ex-Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili be held in jail for two months pending trial on charges of embezzlement and abuse of office.
Ex-Health Minister Zurab Chiaberashvili, a former ambassador who was detained on May 21 together with Merabishvili on corruption and abuse of power charges, was offered bail of 20,000 lari (about $13,000), payable within 30 days.
Merabishvili, who was premier for five months in 2012 and previously had been interior minister, leads the party of President Mikhail Saakashvili.