Georgian authorities raid homes of ex-top officials in nationwide anti-corruption sweep

Georgian Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze has announced a sweeping law enforcement operation involving searches at the residences of several high-ranking former officials, including a former prime minister and ex-security chiefs.

The coordinated operation took place on the morning of October 17, targeting 22 locations across the country as part of ongoing investigations into multiple criminal cases, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“As part of the ongoing investigation of various criminal cases by the Investigation Department of the Georgian Prosecutor General's Office, the Anti-Corruption and State Security Departments of the State Security Service (SSSG), a large-scale operation was carried out today, starting at 10:00 a.m., simultaneously in 22 locations across the country,” Prosecutor General Gvarakidze stated.

As part of the joint operation, searches were carried out at the residences, houses, and on the persons of Georgia’s former Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili; the former head of the State Security Service, Grigol Liluashvili; former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze; and a total of eight more individuals connected to them.

Various electronic devices, documents, and substantial sums of money have been seized. Investigative, procedural, and operational search measures are actively underway in connection with the aforementioned cases,” Giorgi Gvarakidze stated.

By Vafa Guliyeva