Former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Judge Irakli Khuskivadze of the Tbilisi City Court found him guilty, along with his former deputy Giorgi Khaindrava, Burchuladze’s son-in-law Vasil Mkheidze, and the former head of the Ministry of Defense’s procurement department, Vladimir Gudushauri.
Juansher Burchuladze’s property has also been confiscated, including a plot of land and a house in Spain, as well as a house and a parking space in the settlement of Tskneti, and he is barred from holding public office for a period of 2 years.
Giorgi Khaindrava was sentenced to 8 years in prison with a 2-year ban on holding office. Vasil Mkheidze was sentenced to 8 years in prison, with items recognized as physical evidence confiscated.
As for the former head of the Ministry of Defense’s procurement department, a plea agreement was reached under the following terms: a 4-year suspended sentence, a fine of 10,000 GEL (Georgian Lari), and a 1-year ban on holding office.
Before announcing the decision, Judge Khuskivadze questioned Gudushauri, who participated in the hearing remotely and pleaded guilty. Following the judge’s decision, the freeze on his property was lifted.
As a reminder, former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze was charged under Articles 194 and 332 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which cover abuse of official powers and the legalization of illegal income. These offenses carry a prison sentence ranging from 9 to 12 years.
Vladimir Gudushauri and Giorgi Khaindrava were charged with large-scale embezzlement of funds, while Vasil Mkheidze was charged with aiding and abetting embezzlement.
