The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia [PoG] charged Luka Kurtanidze, former Member of Parliament/veteran wrestler, with “domestic violence committed on the grounds of intolerance towards the equality of women and men, intentional damage to the property of a family member, failure to comply with the requirements and obligations provided for by a protective order”.

“The PoG has charged one person with violence against his former wife, intentional damage to the property of a family member, failure to comply with requirements and obligations set out in a protective order against a family member, due to intolerance of equality between women and men.

As the investigation established, the defendant violated the requirements and obligations stipulated by a protective order issued by a court decision, which prohibited him from approaching, communicating with, and visiting places and homes where the victim [his ex-spouse] was located. He approached the victim’s residential home twice, including on July 25 in Kobuleti, when he physically assaulted his former wife and damaged her car.

Police detained Luka Kurtanidze the same day. He is charged under Article 126 Prima, Part 1 of Georgia’s Criminal Code [violence against a family member that caused physical pain], Article 11 Prima 187, Part 1 [intentional damage to a family member’s property that caused significant harm], and Article 11 Prima 381 Prima, Part 1, two episodes [failure to comply with requirements and obligations stipulated by a protective order against a family member], which carries a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment.

The PoG will submit a petition to the court within the legally designated timeframe to seek the defendant’s detention as a preventive measure. The investigation of the criminal case is ongoing”, - reads the statement.