Prosecutor Says Evidence Supports Bribery Charge Against Garibashvili
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Prosecutors have gathered witness testimony, documents and other evidence that they say supports a new bribery charge against former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, a prosecutor in the case said on Tuesday.
Ana Lekiashvili told reporters after a pre-trial hearing at Tbilisi City Court that investigators had obtained enough evidence to formally charge Garibashvili with accepting a large bribe while serving in a state political position.
"The prosecution has gathered a number of pieces of evidence at the investigation stage, including witness interrogation protocols that directly indicate that Irakli Garibashvili committed a crime," Lekiashvili said.
Garibashvili has been charged under Article 338 of Georgia's Criminal Code, which covers bribery. Prosecutors allege that he accepted a large bribe as part of a group.
The case is linked to Defense Ministry tenders for medical equipment and other supplies for the Gori Military Hospital, Lekiashvili said. The contracts had a combined value of about 19 million GEL.
According to the prosecution, 10% of the total contract value was paid to those involved in the scheme. Prosecutors allege that 750,000 GEL of that money was given in cash to Garibashvili as a bribe.
"Juansher Burchuladze personally handed over 750 thousand GEL as a bribe to Irakli Garibashvili," Lekiashvili said.
Burchuladze, who served as defense minister during Garibashvili's premiership, has already been convicted in a separate case involving the procurement contracts. Prosecutors said he cooperated with the investigation into Garibashvili.
Investigators were also informed about the alleged bribe by Vasil Mkheidze, a relative of Burchuladze, according to the prosecution.
Lekiashvili said the investigation into Garibashvili was separated from the case involving Burchuladze and other defendants in November 2025. Investigators continued gathering evidence before prosecutors determined that there was sufficient basis to bring charges against the former prime minister.
The evidence includes information related to the tenders, written documents and material evidence, Lekiashvili said.
She said prosecutors did not seek a preventive measure against Garibashvili because he is already serving a prison sentence in another criminal case.
Lekiashvili said Garibashvili had the right to respond to the charges and explain his position after being formally charged. However, his lawyers told prosecutors that he would not comment or present his defense at this stage of the case.
Garibashvili is currently serving a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in January to a separate money-laundering case. He has previously described the legal proceedings against him as politically motivated.
