Azerbaijani citizen accused of building collapse in Batumi faces trial

Georgia's Batumi city court is hearing the case of three people detained in connection with the collapse of a residential building, Report informs.

Azerbaijani citizen Zaur Budagov and two other people - father and son Huseyn and Giorgi Surmanidze - are expected to be remanded in custody.

The arguments of the sides are currently being heard.

All three are accused of grossly violating technical and safety rules during construction work, which resulted in deaths and serious consequences.

The investigation revealed that the bearing walls were demolished during the repair work carried out by Zaur Budagov in the apartment on the first floor of the collapsed building. Surmanidzes are workers involved in the repair.

On October 8, nine people, including three children, were killed in a collapse in a block of seven-story residential buildings in Batumi. Today is a day of mourning in Georgia over the tragedy, and state flags have been lowered to half-mast in the country.