A citizen of Kazakhstan faces a long prison term in Georgia over a medicine he was carrying. The incident occurred back in April, but only now has it become public. Ivan Chekulaev, a 44-year-old trucker from Shchuchinsk, was detained during customs control at the port of Poti, where a painkiller was found on him, reports infohub.kz.
The man was on another trip from Georgia when customs officers found the medicine. According to Ivan's wife, Yulia Chekulaeva, the drug was prescribed by a doctor in Germany to treat back pain. However, he did not have the prescription with him.
"We were waiting for him from the trip, we want him to come home. He is very calm, very responsible. He could not have done anything. He just didn't have the paper with him, it turns out," the trucker's wife said.
In Georgia, this medicine is classified as a psychotropic and narcotic substance, the circulation of which is strictly regulated by law. In this regard, a criminal case was opened against the Kazakh citizen.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan confirmed that Chekulaev has been charged under Part 1 of Article 262 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. "This article provides for liability for illegal storage or transportation of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without the intent to sell them. Kazakh diplomats in Georgia, within their competence, are providing our compatriot with the necessary consular and legal assistance. This issue is under the control of the ministry," the MFA of Kazakhstan stated.
According to the TV channel, if found guilty, the Kazakh citizen could face up to 15 years in prison.