Georgian tennis star Nikoloz Basilashvili has been arrested on a domestic violence charge in the nation’s capital of Tbilisi, prosecutors…
Basilashvili arrested for allegedly assaulting ex-wife
Nikoloz Basilashvili (AAP Image/Gary Day)
Georgian tennis star Nikoloz Basilashvili has been arrested on a domestic violence charge in the nation’s capital of Tbilisi, prosecutors say.
Ranked No. 27 in the world, Basilashvili is alleged to have physically assaulted his ex-wife Neka Dorokashvili and faces a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison if found guilty.
A court in Tbilisi charged Basilashvili with perpetrating ‘violence against a family member committed in the presence of a minor’ on May 21. The 28-year-old was released on bail of around £26,000, with a preliminary court date set for July 16.
Dorokashvili told the Mtavari TV network on Sunday that he ‘physically assaulted’ her as their five-year-old son watched on.
Basilashvili’s lawyer, Irma Tchkadua, has denied the charge.
The Georgian Tennis Federation also commented on the situation in a short statement.
“First of all, we would like to state that Georgian Tennis Federation has always condemned any form of violence,” it said in a statement.
“The incident involving Nikoloz Basilashvili is currently under police investigation and GFT will refrain from either announcing its position on the matter or making any comments until such investigation is completed.”
Basilashvili is the most successful tennis player in Georgian history, winning three ATP 500 titles throughout his career and hitting a career-high ranking of No. 16 in May 2019.
He was also won $5,470,761 in prize money.
Basilashvili married Dorokashvili in 2013 and their son Lucas was born in 2015.
