Georgia’s vice speaker promises accountability after raids on former officials

Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Gia Volsky has issued a strong statement regarding the ongoing corruption scandal that has rocked the country’s political establishment.

Searches were carried out on October 16 in the homes of several former senior officials, including ex-Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, former head of the State Security Service (SSG) Grigol Liluashvili, former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze, and eight other individuals, according to Georgian media reports.

“What we are witnessing today is difficult, but the fact remains that those who committed the crime betrayed our shared ideals, the interests of Georgia, our team, and the principles we firmly stood by,” Volsky said. “No corruption, no enrichment — especially at the expense of the budget and the people — this was our guiding principle. There will be no mercy for former high-ranking officials.”

The investigation has sent shockwaves through Georgia’s political scene, as the figures involved held some of the most influential positions in recent years.

Irakli Garibashvili served as Georgia’s prime minister twice — from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 until 2024 — before being succeeded by Irakli Kobakhidze. Following his resignation as prime minister, Garibashvili took over as the head of the ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party. However, in April 2025, he announced his complete withdrawal from politics.

Grigol Liluashvili led the State Security Service from October 2019 until April 2025, while Otar Partskhaladze served as Prosecutor General in 2013.

By Tamilla Hasanova