Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has commented on the arrest of former head of the State Security Service of Georgia Grigol Liluashvili, stating that combating corruption is a global challenge and welcoming concrete actions taken by law enforcement agencies.
“Corruption is a challenge for the entire world, and the fight against it is extremely important,” Kaladze told journalists. “We cannot say anything beyond what has already been communicated by the relevant agency. The investigation is ongoing in all directions, and in the interests of the investigation, I will refrain from making additional comments. Let us wait for the investigation to conclude, and all questions will be answered.”
Kaladze emphasized that the authorities support anti-corruption efforts. “In general, we welcome the fight against corruption. This is one of the most important directions. It is a challenge worldwide, and of course, it is pleasing that the relevant agencies are taking concrete steps to prevent it. If someone has committed a crime, appropriate actions will be taken,” he said.
For context, Grigol Liluashvili is accused of accepting bribes totaling USD 2,365,000 and GEL 1,500,000 across several criminal cases. According to the investigation, the charges involve four episodes, two of which also implicate former Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Romeo Mikautadze, who has been detained.
Investigators allege that in the first episode, Liluashvili received USD 1 million from Turkish investor Chagatai Ulker through Mikautadze in exchange for lobbying the signing of a memorandum of understanding related to wind power plant construction. In the second episode, Liluashvili is accused of extorting GEL 1.5 million from Giorgi Khazhalia, founder of Express Service 2008, in return for assistance in gasification tenders.
The third episode concerns allegations that Liluashvili patronized several fraudulent call centers through his relative Sandro Liluashvili, through which he allegedly received approximately USD 1,365,000 in bribes. According to the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, most of the call centers were linked to individuals who financed various opposition media outlets.
The fourth episode alleges that Liluashvili provided protection to his associate Kakha Gvantseladze, former head of the Tbilisi City Hall Kindergarten Management Agency, in exchange for bribes obtained through kindergarten procurement contracts.
Liluashvili has been charged under Article 338, Part 2(c) and Part 3(e) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concern taking bribes in particularly large amounts by a group acting by prior agreement—an offense punishable by 11 to 15 years in prison.
Related story: Former State Security Service Head Grigol Liluashvili arrested on bribery charges
