Former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has secured the court-imposed GEL 1 million bail with real estate valued at more than GEL 2 million. His lawyer, Amiran Giguashvili, confirmed to BM.GE that the defense submitted Garibashvili’s property, specifically, a 170 sq.m. apartment and a 38 sq.m. storage unit located at 10 Mosashvili Street in Vake, which the court formally seized on November 10.
According to the defense, the property’s market value significantly exceeds the bail amount, as required by law when real estate is offered instead of cash. Giguashvili stated he does not know how Garibashvili acquired the apartment and does not consider it relevant to the case, though public speculation has suggested Bidzina Ivanishvili might have gifted the property.
Garibashvili is charged under Article 194, Part 3(c) of the Criminal Code, legalization of illegal income involving particularly large sums, an offense punishable by 9 to 12 years in prison. Prosecutors requested a GEL 1 million bail, confiscation of Garibashvili’s passport, and a travel ban. Judge Eka Barbakadze granted the request during the October 24 hearing, which Garibashvili attended in person.
The former prime minister is now prohibited from leaving Georgia pending trial. His pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for December 16 at 14:00.
