The chief prosecutor’s office of Georgia has established that the murder of billionaire Badri Patarkatsishvili was sanctioned by Mikhail Saakashvili, the department said in a statement.
It is noted that “the former Interior Ministry officials, G. M., L. K. and R. Sh, were detained in case of abuse of office and preparation for murder in aggravating circumstances.”
During the search, another defendant was found two audio recordings dated 4 and 5 February 2007, where the preparation of the murder is discussed. According to the records, one of the accused, G. D., tried to connect the guard Patarkatsishvili to the case.
“During the conversation, G. D. confirms that the issue of preparing the murder was sanctioned by Mikhail Saakashvili, since Badri Patarkatsishvili was their political opponent and enemy of the leadership. According to the record, it was also established that the CST was to be eliminated,” the prosecutor’s office said.
The Office notes that at the second audio recording, ex-officials discuss the preparation of a crime, they establish lists of the entourage of a businessman, a guard, study his daily route. They are also considering different versions of the murder – “in particular, poisoning with such a substance that would cause the effect of natural death.”
This record confirms that “all questions on the methods of elimination are agreed with the date of Akhalaya.”
Detained ex-officials face from 16 to 20 years in prison. The investigation continues.
One of the richest people in Georgia, businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili, who went into opposition to the ruling authorities at the time led by Saakashvili, died suddenly on February 12, 2008 in his villa near London. According to doctors, the cause of death was coronary heart disease.
A few months before his death, the businessman began to actively engage in politics. He announced the creation of an opposition party in Georgia and put forward his candidacy for the presidential election.
Now the Patarkatsishvili family owns Imedi TV and the Rustavi Iron and Steel Works.