A preliminary court hearing in the corruption case against former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili is underway at the Tbilisi City Court. The primary task at this stage is to determine the admissibility of evidence. In addition, the court will decide whether to refer the case for trial on the merits.
Irakli Garibashvili is not attending the session; he previously stated that he would not appear at any court proceedings and would continue to issue statements via letters from prison.
Defense attorneys stated that they intend to file a motion to dismiss the criminal case.
For context: testimony against Garibashvili was provided by former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and his relative, convicted felon Vasil Mkheidze. According to their testimony, in exchange for assistance with state procurement, guarantees, and general patronage, Burchuladze delivered 750,000 GEL in cash directly to Garibashvili from a 1,500,000 GEL bribe, keeping the remaining 750,000 GEL for himself.
As a result of these actions, the state sustained large-scale financial damage amounting to 6,985,255 GEL, alongside substantial harm to legally protected public interests.
The Prosecutor’s Office charged Irakli Garibashvili under Subparagraphs “a” and “c” of Part 2 and Subparagraph “e” of Part 3 of Article 338 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. The charges involve the acceptance of a bribe by an official holding a state-political office, committed by an organized group on an especially large scale, carrying a prison sentence of 11 to 15 years.
The former prime minister is already serving time in connection with another corruption case, having been convicted of large-scale legalization of illicit income (money laundering). Under that plea agreement, he was sentenced to five years of imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of 1 million GEL.