Georgia’s former Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, is currently facing serious allegations of large-scale money laundering, appearing in court after investigators reportedly found $6.5 million in cash during a raid on his home. This development marks a significant and surprising turn for Garibashvili, who has been a close and loyal associate of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire widely considered Georgia’s de facto leader.
Garibashvili, 43, has held the position of Prime Minister twice, serving from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 until January of last year. He has now pleaded guilty to corruption charges, an offense that could lead to a 12-year prison sentence. However, he has been granted bail amounting to one million Georgian lari (approximately $368,000).
These charges against the former Prime Minister are the most recent in a series of detentions of former government officials in Georgia. What makes this case particularly significant is that it is the first prosecution of a high-ranking member of the ruling elite, occurring amidst a period of increasing authoritarianism and a move away from Western alliances by the ruling party.
Prosecutors allege that while serving as defence minister and later as Prime Minister between 2019 and 2024, Garibashvili was involved in various business activities in secret, accumulating substantial income from illicit sources. He is accused of laundering this money and making false declarations, claiming gifts from family members to conceal the illegal origins of the funds. His lawyer confirmed that Garibashvili is cooperating with the authorities, stating that the court acknowledged his client’s agreement with the charges and his commitment to assisting the investigation.
This dramatic downfall is seen by political analysts as a reflection of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s evolving trust within his political circle. Ghia Nodia, a Georgian political analyst, suggests that Ivanishvili himself is driving these actions, potentially believing there has been a betrayal within his inner team. Nodia indicated that while Ivanishvili currently trusts the current Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, his trust has waned for close lieutenants like Garibashvili and former security chief Liluashvili.
The political landscape in Georgia remains turbulent, with daily protests continuing since the government’s announcement last November to halt EU membership talks. The situation has been further exacerbated by the imprisonment of many opposition leaders and the introduction of legislation targeting civil society, pro-opposition media, journalists, and activists. Nodia speculates that Ivanishvili may feel besieged, possibly influenced by conspiracy theories about Western attempts to undermine him through these protests.