TBILISI, November 4 – The corruption trial of Georgia’s jailed former prime minister Irakli Garibashvili has been closed to the public after prosecutors argued that testimony could reveal state secrets or other confidential information.
Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili granted the prosecution’s request Monday as Tbilisi City Court began substantive hearings in the case, Interpressnews reported. Garibashvili attended the proceedings for the first time and pleaded not guilty to the new bribery charge.
The decision means future hearings in the case will take place behind closed doors. Prosecutor Ani Lekiashvili argued that the case concerns the Defense Ministry and will involve testimony from serving and former officials who could disclose classified or professionally sensitive information. She also cited protection of personal information.
Garibashvili and his lawyers opposed closing the trial. The defense argued that the related criminal case against former defense minister Juansher Burchuladze, which also involved classified Defense Ministry purchases, had been heard publicly. Garibashvili said he wanted the public to hear the case because he considers the charge politically motivated and unfounded.
The ruling reverses the position taken at Garibashvili’s pre-trial hearing on October 19. Prosecutors also sought to close those proceedings, citing possible disclosure of state secrets, but Judge Lela Kalichenko rejected the request and ordered the case to remain open. The same judge later sent the case forward for substantive trial.
Garibashvili is accused of receiving 750,000 lari in bribes connected with three classified Defense Ministry procurements for medical equipment and supplies in 2022, when he was prime minister.
Prosecutors allege that companies connected to a selected businessman won contracts worth almost 18.5 million lari for goods and services valued at around 11.5 million, causing nearly 7 million lari in losses to the state. They say Burchuladze received 1.5 million lari from the scheme, kept half and passed 750,000 lari in cash to Garibashvili.
In August, Burchuladze’s relative Vasil Mkheidze approached prosecutors and provided information. Prosecutors say Burchuladze also cooperated with investigators. Both later received plea agreements.
Garibashvili denies the bribery allegation. His lawyers say the prosecution rests largely on testimony from Burchuladze and Mkheidze, whose credibility they dispute.
After Monday’s hearing, Garibashvili’s lawyer Soso Baratashvili also called for an investigation into the former premier’s allegation that he had been subjected to psychological and moral pressure before the bribery investigation began in an effort to make him admit the future charge.
Garibashvili is already serving a five-year prison sentence after admitting money laundering in a separate case and signing a plea agreement in January. He was also fined 1 million lari.
The new bribery charge carries a possible sentence of 11 to 15 years in prison.
