SSSG Arrests Official Giorgi Udzilauri on Espionage Charges
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
The State Security Service of Georgia said on May 5 it had arrested a Georgian official for allegedly spying for a foreign intelligence service, later confirming the suspect as Giorgi Udzilauri, as first reported by Rustavi 2.
Udzilauri most recently served as head of the press service of the Finance Ministry's Investigative Service. He previously worked as head of public relations at Cartu Group, founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili. The SSSG did not name the country involved, while Rustavi 2 alleged it was "one of the European countries."
SSSG First Deputy Head Lasha Maghradze said the suspect "used his current official position, previously held posts, and personal connections across various agencies to systematically obtain information and pass it to a foreign country's intelligence services."
He added the detainee maintained "systematic, highly organized, clandestine contacts," using encrypted communication and covert meetings. According to the agency, the information shared included classified data on political and economic processes, law enforcement structures, and issues related to ethnic and religious groups.
Maghradze also said the suspect worked on creating networks, including recruiting media representatives, to gather intelligence "in line with the foreign service's interests," including in the region, and acted for financial gain.
The arrest follows similar cases. On April 22, the SSSG detained a Georgian citizen and charged two others in absentia in an espionage case later linked by media to Russia. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty identified the detainee as Tamaz Goloev from Akhalgori. On April 25, a former SSSG employee working at the Interior Ministry was also arrested for allegedly removing classified information, with Imedi TV naming him as Vako Bidzishvili.
Udzilauri faces charges under Article 314 of Georgia's Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of eight to twelve years in prison.
