Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office says former Defense Minister Burchuladze will receive a plea deal in connection with the criminal case involving former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. A plea agreement will also be concluded with Burchuladze’s relative, Vasil Mkhеidze, in exchange for their cooperation with the investigation.
Under the proposed agreement, Burchuladze will receive a five-year sentence, including three years in prison and two years on probation, and will pay a GEL 1 million fine. Mkhеidze will receive a four-year and two-month sentence, with one year and two months in prison, three years on probation and a GEL 100,000 fine.
According to prosecutors, between 2022 and 2024, Burchuladze and Mkhеidze allegedly helped arrange secret Defense Ministry procurements in a way that favored companies linked to a businessman. Three contracts for medical equipment and supplies were worth GEL 18.48 million, although the goods had a real value of GEL 11.5 million. Prosecutors say the scheme caused the state GEL 6.99 million in financial damage.
Investigators allege that Mkhеidze received GEL 1.9 million in cash from the businessman, kept GEL 400,000 and transferred GEL 1.5 million to Burchuladze. Prosecutors say Burchuladze retained GEL 750,000 and transferred the remaining GEL 750,000 to Garibashvili. Burchuladze and Mkhеidze have already been convicted in a separate criminal case, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
