Georgian court leaves person accused of killing American family in custody

Today, the court rejected the petition of the defence of Malkhaz Kobauri to release him from arrest for killing the Smith family in mountains of Georgia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the 19-year-old Malkhaz Kobauri was arrested on July 11.

According to the judge of the Mtskheta District Court, who refused to release Kobauri from custody, the risks associated with his being at large not only did not diminish, but even increased, the Georgian Public Television has reported on its website today.

The today's court session was attended by members of Malkhaz Kobauri's family. They believe his arrest was unjustified, the "InterPressNews" reports.

Let us remind you that the Smith spouses and their four-year-old child disappeared in the Khada Gorge in the Dusheti District on July 6; rescuers found their bodies within three days. According to examination outcomes, the defendant had sexual intercourse with the murdered woman; and the child was shot at point-blank range. After the announcement of these data, Malkhaz Kobauri's advocate refused to defend him. The defendant is under threat of life imprisonment.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 27, 2018 at 02:51 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.