Prosecutor’s office: Ex-Georgian PM to serve five-years in prison

Former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili is set to be sentenced to five years in prison, the Prosecutor General’s Office has confirmed.

Garibashvili reached a plea agreement, admitting to charges brought against him, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media.

In addition to the custodial sentence, he has been fined 1 million lari (about $ 270,000) and ordered to return funds acquired through criminal activity, as well as assets seized during a search of his residence.

Garibashvili, who originally faced a prison term of nine to twelve years without a plea deal, was charged with serious money laundering in October. At the time, the court set bail at GEL 1 million (around $ 370,000) after the State Security Service reported that he had admitted receiving illicit income. He was also prohibited from leaving Georgia, with his passport confiscated.

Having served twice as Georgia’s prime minister—from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2024—Garibashvili was a close associate of Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. He was succeeded as prime minister by Irakli Kobakhidze in February 2024.

Garibashvili, who subsequently held the position of Georgian Dream chairman, stepped away from the party and politics in April 2025.

The criminal investigation into Garibashvili was launched amid a broader anti-corruption drive and a series of prosecutions targeting former officials and business figures linked to Georgian Dream. Authorities have reportedly seized over USD 7 million in cash and valuables from dozens of homes belonging to former officials, including Garibashvili.

On December 23, another former senior official, Grigol Liluashvili—who served as head of the State Security Service until April 2025—was arrested. Charged with bribery, he faces a prison term of 11 to 15 years.

Critics of the government, however, claim that the authorities’ anti-corruption efforts are a façade. They argue that the arrests and prosecutions of former officials reflect Georgian Dream’s internal disputes, acts of retribution, and power struggles.

By Aghakazim Guliyev