Georgian prosecutors bring new charges against ex-defence minister and his relative
New charges against former Georgian minister
Georgia‘s Prosecutor General’s Office has charged former Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and his relative Vasil Mkheidze with accepting a particularly large bribe as part of a group acting in prior collusion, as well as facilitating the acceptance of a bribe.
However, prosecutors plan to reach plea agreements with Burchuladze and Mkheidze, saying the decision was made in view of the extent of their cooperation with the investigation.
The Prosecutor General’s Office says the criminal case concerns classified procurement of medical equipment and supplies for the Defence Ministry’s military hospital. Former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili is also a defendant in the same case.
According to prosecutors, the investigation established that between 2021 and 2024, while serving as defence minister, Burchuladze conspired with Vasil Mkheidze to obtain illicit financial benefits from ministry procurement contracts.
Prosecutors allege that from late 2022, the Defence Ministry needed to purchase expensive medical equipment and supplies. In agreement with Burchuladze, Mkheidze approached a businessman with relevant experience and proposed arranging the procurement tender in a way that would guarantee victory for companies linked to him. In return, the businessman was asked to pay around 10% of the total value of the contracts in cash.
After the businessman initially refused to take part in the alleged scheme and demanded additional guarantees from senior officials, Burchuladze reached an agreement with then-Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. Prosecutors allege that Garibashvili backed the arrangement and provided guarantees, demanding a share of the proceeds in return.
According to investigators, on Burchuladze’s instructions, then-Deputy Defence Minister Giorgi Khaindrava and head of the procurement department Vladimir Gudushauri created a non-competitive environment in the procurement process for medical equipment and other supplies for the military hospital.
As a result of three classified procurement contracts, companies linked to Burchuladze and Mkheidze supplied the Defence Ministry with goods and services worth 11.5m lari ($4.22m) for 18.48m lari ($6.78m).
The state therefore suffered losses of almost 7m lari (around $2.5m).
Prosecutors allege that the businessman handed Mkheidze around 1.9m lari ($697,000) in cash in several instalments. Mkheidze allegedly kept 400,000 lari (around $147,000) for himself and passed the remaining 1.5m lari (around $550,000) to Burchuladze.
Burchuladze allegedly kept half of that amount — 750,000 lari ($275,000) — and passed the other half to Garibashvili in several instalments.
Burchuladze has been charged under Article 338 of Georgia’s Criminal Code with accepting a particularly large bribe while holding a senior political office. Mkheidze is accused of facilitating the acceptance of a bribe. The offence carries a prison sentence of 11 to 15 years.
However, prosecutors plan to reach plea agreements with Burchuladze and Mkheidze. Under the prosecution’s motion, Burchuladze would be sentenced to five years in prison, of which he would serve three years in prison, with the remaining two years suspended. He would also be fined 1m lari (around $367,000).
Mkheidze would be sentenced to four years and two months in prison, of which he would serve one year and two months in prison, with the remaining three years suspended. He would also be fined 100,000 lari (around $37,000).
Juansher Burchuladze and Vasil Mkheidze have already been convicted in a separate criminal case and handed their respective sentences.
In particular, in April 2026, Burchuladze was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of abuse of office and money laundering.
