Acquittal Announcement
Georgian tennis professional Nikoloz Basilashvili has been cleared of domestic violence charges against his ex-wife, Neli Dorokashvili, according to the Tbilisi City Court. In a statement, the court revealed that Dorokashvili’s testimony lacked sufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict.
The charges, dating back to May 2020, accused Basilashvili of physical and economic violence, as well as harassment. However, the court concluded in October 2022 that the allegations, including incidents from 2018 and 2019, did not meet the legal standard for conviction.
Court’s Decision
The court emphasized the principle of presumption of innocence, stating that the decision was made “beyond any reasonable doubt” in favor of Basilashvili.
The 32-year-old tennis star consistently denied the allegations and expressed relief after the ruling. “I’m happy everything is over and I can go back to my normal life,” Basilashvili told CNN.
Reaction from Dorokashvili
Following the verdict, Dorokashvili criticized Georgia’s judicial system in a heartfelt Instagram post, accusing it of failing victims of domestic violence. “If I, with direct and indirect evidence, could not win this case, what hope do other women have?” she wrote. Dorokashvili vowed to continue fighting for justice on behalf of herself and all victims of abuse.
Her lawyer, Ana Abashidze, highlighted societal biases during the trial, claiming that Dorokashvili was “morally judged by the Georgian community,” with public opinion largely favoring Basilashvili due to his fame and gender.
Basilashvili’s Career Highlights
Nikoloz Basilashvili has had an impressive tennis career, reaching a career-high ATP ranking of No. 16 and securing five ATP Tour titles. His most recent victory came at the 2021 BMW Open in Munich, Germany.
Ongoing Debate
While the acquittal marks the end of a long legal battle for Basilashvili, the case has reignited conversations about gender bias, domestic violence, and the challenges women face in seeking justice in Georgia.
Source: CNN Sports
Leave a comment