Nikoloz Basilashvili, a 32-year-old Georgian professional tennis player, has been acquitted of all domestic violence charges that stemmed from allegations made by his ex-wife, Neli Dorokashvili. The Tbilisi City Court delivered its verdict in October 2022, determining that the evidence presented did not meet the threshold required for a guilty verdict. Currently ranked 16th in the world, Basilashvili is known for winning five ATP Tour titles, with his most recent victory occurring at the 2021 BMW Open in Munich, Germany.
The trial against Basilashvili began after he was charged in May 2020 with domestic violence, economic violence, and harassment. Throughout the legal proceedings, he maintained his innocence and denied all allegations made against him. His lawyer, Ana Abashidze, expressed concern over how the case had affected Basilashvili’s reputation, stating that he had faced moral judgment from the Georgian community due to his gender and status as a professional athlete.
The court's decision highlighted that Dorokashvili's testimony "did not create a set of evidence sufficient for the standard of a guilty verdict." It further emphasized that "in accordance with the concept of presumption of innocence, the court decided beyond any reasonable doubt in favor of the accused."
Despite the acquittal, Dorokashvili criticized the Georgian judicial system following the trial. She took to Instagram to express her discontent, asserting that the country is “killing women.” Her statements reflect ongoing concerns about the protection of women's rights and domestic violence issues in Georgia.
After the verdict was announced, Basilashvili shared his relief with CNN, stating that he is "happy everything is over" and can now return to leading a normal life. The outcome of this high-profile case has raised questions about societal perceptions of domestic violence and the treatment of such allegations within the legal framework.
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