Political scientist Maisaya sentenced to 20 years in jail in Georgia

Natia Korkotadze, the attorney of Maisaya, said she had a 15-page report, and the speech of her defendant was also that long. "The judge gave no assessment to our pleadings and right after appearances pronounces the sentence. What assessment can be given after all that? It was the order of the Prosecutor's Office, and nothing more. The Prosecutor's Office demanded to sentence him to 24 years, and the court cut the term a bit for show."

Vakhtang Maisaya was detained on May 5th, the day of Mukhrovani mutiny and the day when the Interior Ministry announced of a thwarted plan of an armed coup d'etat.

The case was brought over espionage [up to 12 years in prison].

According to the investigation, Maisaya was cooperating with foreign special services, completed tasks he received from them and sent the results via e-mail in ciphered way. Part of the materials was a state secret, including some information about military, political, economic situation in Georgia, purchased military machinery, changes in the government. According to the Interior Ministry, Maisaya had access to state secrets. In the video, recording the interrogation and spread by the Interior Ministry, he pleads guilty.

Materials, extracted from his PC, are attached to the case.

/Georgia Times/