17:17, 23 April 2008

Okruashvili gets political shelter, extradition to Georgia cancelled

France has granted political asylum to Irakliy Okruashvili, ex-Minister of Defence of Georgia, thus automatically cancelling his extradition to Georgia, as Eka Beseliya, Okruashvili's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"A trial was to take place on May 11, 2008, to consider Okruashvili's extradition. However, in view of the recent developments, Okruashvili's extradition is out of question," Ms Beseliya has explained.

She added that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice of France had considered Irakliy Okruashvili's application for political asylum and made a final decision in his favour.

"From now on, Irakliy Okruashvili is under patronage of the French Republic. On April 22, the French Emigration Service informed Okruashvili about awarding him with political asylum. The according decision was passed by the Paris Court," Tamara Rukhadze, head of the press service of Okruashvili's Party named "The Movement for United Georgia", has confirmed the news.

Author: Edita Badasian, CK correspondent