Former Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Sentenced

A former Georgian deputy interior minister, Gela Khvedelidze, has received a suspended one-year jail sentence.

The Tbilisi City Court found Khvedelidze guilty of breach of privacy rights on May 14 and sentenced him the same day.

Khvedelidze was arrested one year ago, while still in office. Georgia's current prime minister, Irakli Garibashvili, was serving as interior minister at the time.

Khvedelidze was charged in connection with the leaking of a surreptitiously recorded sex video that purportedly featured a man who was accusing Khvedelidze of corruption.

He was released on bail shortly after his arrest.

Khvedelidze's lawyer said his client plans to appeal the Tbilisi City Court’s ruling to a higher court.

With reporting by Civil.ge