Former Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili Charged with Large-Scale Money Laundering

Former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has been charged with large-scale money laundering, marking the first time a senior member of Georgia’s ruling elite has faced prosecution amid a broader crackdown targeting opposition figures. Garibashvili, who served as prime minister from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2024, was a close ally of billionaire ex-premier Bidzina Ivanishvili, widely regarded as the country’s de facto leader.

According to Georgia’s prosecutor general, police raided Garibashvili’s residence and seized $6.5 million in cash. The offence carries a potential prison term of up to 12 years. The former prime minister has yet to issue a public statement regarding the charges or the raid. Authorities also conducted searches at the homes of two other long-time associates of Ivanishvili as part of the ongoing investigation.

The case comes as Georgia faces mounting political tension and accusations of authoritarianism under the ruling Georgian Dream party. Pro-Western opposition leaders have held repeated street protests, alleging the government has adopted a pro-Russian stance despite Georgia having no formal diplomatic ties with Moscow. Garibashvili had previously defended closer relations with Russia, blaming NATO’s expansion for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

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