Teona Gvazava, the lawyer Ioseb Sigua: Sopio Sigua suggested that Ioseb Sigua controlled her clothing; anyone interested can check the photos posted on social media, which show that he did not impose any restrictions in this regard

“Sopio Sigua suggested that Ioseb Sigua controlled what she wore and prohibited her from wearing dresses that she wanted to wear. Anyone interested can check Ms. Sopio’s photos posted on numerous social media pages, and this factual circumstance itself shows that Ioseb Sigua did not impose any restrictions in this regard,” Teona Gvazava, the lawyer of former high-ranking police official Ioseb Sigua, told journalists after a hearing at the Court of Appeals.

According to her, the Court of Appeals upheld the first-instance court’s decision regarding the imposition of a restraining order against Ioseb Sigua.

“New factual circumstances were raised at today’s hearing that Ms. Sopio had not previously made public. For example, one of the circumstances concerns the claim that Mr. Soso allegedly controlled her clothing and prohibited her from wearing, among other things, dresses that Ms. Sopio wanted to wear. This was effectively raised during the court proceedings, and anyone interested can check Ms. Sopio’s photos posted on numerous public social media pages. Accordingly, this factual circumstance alone answers the question and shows that Mr. Ioseb Sigua did not impose any restrictions in this regard.

“During today’s hearing, Ms. Sopio even claimed that Ioseb Sigua continues to monitor her movements and goes to areas where she is allegedly located, despite the fact that a supervisory measure has been imposed on Mr. Soso. Accordingly, we believe that when forming her position, Ms. Sopio even forgot that supervision was being carried out by the court and that, physically, Ioseb Sigua could not approach her.

“The decision made at today’s hearing has not changed, since the key issue is the circumstances examined by the court of first instance regarding the continuation of the restraining order. The factual grounds must be established precisely through this restraining order, and numerous pieces of evidence were presented in this case, including written evidence that refutes the information recorded by Ms. Sopio in the restraining order report,” the lawyer said.

In addition, Ioseb Sigua’s defense lawyer said that Sopio Sigua-Shatberava had not presented a single piece of evidence confirming that she had been subjected to violence.

“Within the restraining order report, Ms. Sopio identified three people - her aunt, uncle and friend - who allegedly witnessed acts of violence against her. However, within the administrative proceedings, her minor children are not mentioned in any written document. Not only were the minor children not mentioned, but the witnesses referred to in the administrative case were also not questioned or brought before the courtroom. Accordingly, we have no evidence presented by her that would confirm the fact of violence. It is her responsibility, as the respondent, to present such evidence,” Teona Gvazava said.

In addition, the former high-ranking police official’s lawyer noted that during today’s hearing, Sopio Sigua-Shatberava said that “there had been instances of Ioseb Sigua taking certain actions while under the influence of alcohol.” However, according to the lawyer, Sopio Sigua-Shatberava “denied this circumstance during clarifying questions.”

Teona Gvazava said that expert assessments had been submitted indicating that Ioseb Sigua had no dependence on drugs, alcohol or other harmful substances.

“The word ‘drug use’ was not mentioned during today’s hearing. Ms. Sopio claimed that Ioseb allegedly engaged in certain actions while under the influence of alcohol. She later denied this circumstance herself during clarifying questions. However, when the City Court issued its decision on March 21, 2026, expert assessments were submitted stating that Mr. Ioseb Sigua had no dependence on drugs, alcohol or other harmful substances. Ms. Sopio says many things. The factual circumstances stated by Ms. Sopio have been refuted by us through specific evidence, including the submission of expert assessments,” the defense lawyer said.

It should be recalled that Ioseb Sigua’s wife, Sopio Sigua-Shatberava, said on the “Nodar Meladze’s Saturday” program that Ioseb Sigua had threatened to kill her, throw her from the 12th floor, put her in a barrel and bury her.