GURGENIDZE v. GEORGIA

Published on 25 August 2025 FOURTH SECTIONApplication no. 4641/23Irakli GURGENIDZEagainst Georgialodged on 18 January 2023communicated on 4 August 2025STATEMENT OF FACTSThe application concerns criminal proceedings against the applicant, who was charged with drug possession and sale in respect of two separate episodes.As regards the first episode, he was convicted at first instance of drug possession on the basis of a search of the car that he had been driving and of his person. The police officers who implemented the search gave witness statements against the applicant.As regards the second episode, the applicant was acquitted of selling drugs in relation to substances found in the home of his co-accused. The latter’s case was severed from that of the applicant and appears to have resulted in a plea-bargain agreement with the prosecution. The trial court found that the sole evidence aga …