Defense Minister Irakli Alasania (left) at a meeting with army leadership, including Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces, Brig. Gen. Giorgi Kalandadze (right), November 10. Photo: Ministry of Defense.

Prosecutor's office filed a motion to the court requesting dismissing Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces, Giorgi Kalandadze, who has been charged with abuse of soldiers, chief prosecutor, Archil Kbilashvili, said on November 10.

The Tbilisi City Court released Brigadier General Kalandadze on GEL 20,000 bail bailed pending further enquiries.

After he was released, Brig. Gen. Kalandadze was received by President Saakashvili in the presidential palace on November 10.

President Saakashvili, who is the commander-in-chief, told Kalandadze to continue performing his duties in the capacity of Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces.

Also on November 10 Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, who earlier this month made no secret that he wanted Kalandadze to be replaced, met the leadership of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces, among them Kalandadze too. Alasania said that Kalandadze was innocent until proven otherwise, but also added that as investigation was still ongoing a decision might be taken to suspend him from the office. 

"The court will give its response to our motion tomorrow [November 11]," chief prosecutor, Archil Kbilashvili, told Maestro TV on Saturday referring to the motion by the prosecutor's office requesting dismissal of Kalandadze.

"This person is charged with committing crime involving exceeding official powers, in particular insulting and beating of military servicemen. Remaining in office while facing this kind of charges is simply illogical. It will be very difficult for the court not to rule positively on this motion [about dismissal of Kalandadze]," Kbilashvili said.