Garibashvili Calls Proceedings in His Case a 'Political Masquerade'
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said he will stop attending court hearings in his case, accusing the authorities of using the proceedings as part of a political campaign against him.
Garibashvili, who is serving a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to money laundering, made the comments in a letter released from prison. He said he had tried to avoid the legal proceedings but had ultimately been left with no choice.
"I tried everything and did my best to avoid this process, but I found myself facing a cruel reality," Gharibashvili wrote.
He described the case as a "relentless political struggle" and said he would no longer take part in what he called a political masquerade.
"I no longer intend to participate in this shameful and insulting political masquerade for our country. Accordingly, I will not participate in the court process either," he wrote.
Garibashvili said his lawyers would continue to represent him and defend his interests.
He also rejected the suggestion that his decision not to attend hearings was intended as an insult to the prosecutors or judges involved in the case.
"I am not insulting anyone, neither prosecutors nor judges," he wrote. "Simply, this is a political process and I know how the political process is managed by the system."
Garibashvili also questioned the reliability of statements that prisoners or detainees might make about him under psychological or moral pressure.
"I no longer care which prisoner or hostage you will force to write about me and what you will accuse me of," he wrote.
He said he would instead use public statements to present his account of the case.
"My only weapon in this struggle is my truth. I intend to speak publicly and tell my truth. Let the people judge!" he wrote.
Garibashvili was sentenced to five years in prison in January after pleading guilty to money laundering. He is also facing a separate bribery case in which prosecutors allege that he accepted GEL 750,000 in connection with Defense Ministry procurement contracts.
