Former Georgian Prime Minister Charged With Large-Scale Money Laundering

Georgia’s former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili is facing serious criminal charges after the Prosecutor’s Office announced on Thursday that he had been formally indicted for laundering illicit proceeds on an “exceptionally large scale.” Prosecutors are requesting bail of one million lari as authorities intensify a sweeping corruption probe involving several former senior officials.

At a detailed briefing, Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze said investigators from the State Security Service’s Anti-Corruption Department had uncovered extensive evidence that Garibashvili secretly engaged in business activities while serving in high-ranking government positions between 2019 and 2024 — including Minister of Defence and Prime Minister — despite legal prohibitions barring public officials from any private commercial involvement.

According to prosecutors, Garibashvili received significant undeclared income over several years through covert business dealings, violating the Law on Combating Corruption, which restricts public officials to their official salaries. To conceal the origins of the funds, he allegedly submitted false information in mandatory asset declarations, claiming that large sums — totalling 830,000 lari — had been received as gifts from family members. This misrepresentation, Gvarakidze said, was designed to “fabricate a lawful source” and integrate illicit income into the financial system.

Investigators say Garibashvili took further steps to legitimize unexplained wealth by purchasing two high-value vehicles worth GEL 463,630 between 2023 and 2024 and registering them under the name of an associate. In addition, he allegedly acquired a full shareholding in a company for GEL 210,000 via a family member, transferring ownership of immovable property.

Prosecutors also reported that GEL 3,670,172 was invested through a family member into a limited liability company, while much of the unexplained income was converted into foreign currency to obscure its origin. A search of Garibashvili’s residence on October 17, 2025, uncovered and seized USD 6.5 million linked to these transactions.

Garibashvili has been charged under Article 194, Part 3, Subparagraph “g” of the Georgian Criminal Code, which covers money laundering involving exceptionally large-scale illicit proceeds. In a striking development, prosecutors said he has already pleaded guilty in full.

The Prosecutor’s Office plans to petition the court to impose a bail requirement of one million lari, either in cash or secured by immovable property. Additional measures will be sought, including surrendering his Georgian passport and a prohibition on leaving the country while the investigation continues.

The case forms part of a broader corruption inquiry. On October 17, authorities searched the homes of Garibashvili, former State Security Service head Grigol Liluashvili, former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhladze, and several associates. Investigators seized electronic devices, documents, and substantial cash holdings.

During a briefing on October 22, the State Security Service confirmed that Garibashvili had been questioned extensively at the Anti-Corruption Agency. Officials said he cooperated fully and admitted to receiving illegal income over multiple years.

Garibashvili, who previously led the government from 2013 to 2015 before returning to the political stage as Defence Minister in 2019, once again became Prime Minister in February 2021. He stepped down in January 2024, ending his second term.

As the investigation advances, the case marks one of the most significant corruption probes involving a former Georgian head of government, raising profound questions about political accountability and the integrity of state institutions.