Georgia’s ruling team shows strength in tackling internal corruption

Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, emphasized the strength of the ruling team in addressing corruption within its own ranks, commenting on the recent arrest of former State Security Service head Grigol Liluashvili.

Liluashvili was detained on December 23 and faces charges of large-scale bribery and facilitating the activities of so-called “call centers.” If convicted, he could face 11 to 15 years in prison, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“The strength of the ruling team is evident in its commitment to identifying violations among its own members,” Papuashvili said.

The parliamentary press secretary noted that the Prosecutor General has provided a detailed account of the charges. He noted that the Prosecutor’s Office, the State Security Service, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are actively working to uncover all possible instances of corruption.

Papuashvili further underscored the government’s broader anti-corruption agenda, stating, “The Prime Minister has promised the parliament and the people that Georgia will rank among the top three European countries with the lowest levels of corruption. Actively identifying cases of corruption is an integral part of fulfilling this commitment.”

The arrest of former State Security Service head follows a broader series of prosecutions targeting former Georgian Dream officials, particularly targeting figures linked to Liluashvili and former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who is currently free on bail while facing trial on serious money-laundering charges.

Liluashvili, who led SSSG since 2019 before his resignation in April 2025, has been charged under Article 338, Parts 2 and 3 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which cover taking a bribe “on a particularly large scale” by a prearranged group.

By Vafa Guliyeva