The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has requested GEL 1 million bail and a ban on leaving the country for former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, the Prosecutor General announced.
According to Giorgi Gvarakidze, the Prosecutor General, charges have been filed against Garibashvili for the legalization of a particularly large amount of illegal income.
The Anti-Corruption Department of the State Security Service determined that Garibashvili, who served as Minister of Defense and Prime Minister of Georgia between 2019 and 2024, was prohibited under the Law of Georgia “On Combating Corruption” from engaging in entrepreneurial activities or receiving any remuneration other than his official salary.
Despite this, the investigation found that during his tenure, Garibashvili secretly engaged in various business activities, earning a particularly large amount of illegal income. To conceal the source of this income, he allegedly submitted false information in his property declarations, claiming to have received substantial sums each year as gifts from a family member.
The investigation revealed that GEL 830,000 of the illegally obtained funds were legalized through false declarations. Garibashvili also allegedly purchased two cars worth GEL 463,630 in 2023–2024, registering them under the name of an associate, and acquired 100% of a company share for GEL 210,000 through a family member, which included ownership of real estate.
Additionally, approximately GEL 3.67 million was invested in a limited liability company registered in the name of a family member.
To further disguise the origins of the funds, a large portion was converted into foreign currency. As a result, USD 6.5 million was discovered and seized during a search of Garibashvili’s apartment on October 17, 2025.
Garibashvili has been charged under Article 194, Part 3, Subparagraph “C” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the legalization of illegal income involving particularly large amounts. According to the Prosecutor General, the accused has fully pleaded guilty.
The Prosecutor’s Office has asked the court to impose bail of GEL 1 million, payable in cash or secured by property, and to require the surrender of Garibashvili’s passport along with a prohibition on foreign travel.
The investigation into the case is ongoing, - the Prosecutor General stated.
