Former Georgian defence chief reaches plea deal in new bribery case

Former Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and his relative, Vasil Mkheidze, who have already been convicted in another criminal case, have reached plea agreements with the prosecution in a new bribery case, according to a statement released by the Prosecutor’s Office.

Under the agreements submitted to the court, Burchuladze is to receive a five-year prison sentence, with three years to be served in a penitentiary facility and two years suspended for the same probation period. He is also to be fined 1 million lari ($383,100), Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

As for Mkheidze, the agreement provides for a sentence of four years and two months, with one year and two months to be served in a penitentiary facility and three years suspended for the same probation period. He is also to pay a fine of 100,000 lari ($38,300).

The new case involves allegations of taking a particularly large bribe by a group acting under a prior agreement and assisting in the taking of a bribe.

Earlier, Burchuladze was sentenced to 10 years in prison in another criminal case, while Mkheidze received an eight-year prison sentence. Burchuladze was found guilty in that case of abuse of office and large-scale money laundering.

The Prosecutor’s Office has said that the new plea agreement does not affect Burchuladze’s existing 10-year prison sentence.

By Jeyhun Aghazada