Exiled Georgia Leader Released From French Custody

Okruashvili`s allegations of corruption against President Mikhail Saakashvili sparked anti-government protests last year.

French authorities have released exiled Georgian opposition leader Irakly Okruashvili from custody pending an extradition hearing in February, one of his lawyers said on Thursday.

Georgia has requested the extradition of Okruashvili, a former defence minister whose allegations of corruption against President Mikhail Saakashvili sparked anti-government protests last year.

"He was released yesterday. He appeared to be in good health, and is waiting for his wife to join him in Paris," lawyer Thierry Levy said.

"His next hearing will take place on February 27, at which time he will answer to the Georgian extradition request before an inquiry," Levy said.

Okruashvili had been held in the Sante prison in Paris since arriving in France from Germany earlier this month, Levy said. Under the terms of his conditional release, he may not leave French territory.

Okruashvili was arrested in Germany in November after Georgia issued an international arrest warrant for him.

Earlier this month German officials transferred him to France so he could pursue an asylum request, saying it should be made in France because Okruashvili had a French visa in his passport when he came to Germany.

The Georgian government says he ordered the purchase of aircraft fuel at excessive prices from a company controlled by a friend while he was defence minister.

His lawyer, Levy, said the Georgian extradition request to France was dated Dec. 31.