Former Deputy Head of Georgian State Security Service arrested on major bribery charges
Emzar Gagnidze
Photo: Screenshot from Video
The anti-corruption agency of Georgia’s state security service has arrested Levan Akhobadze, the former deputy head of the state security service, on charges of accepting an exceptionally large bribe.
Emzar Gagnidze, the director of the anti-corruption agency, noted that the incident traces back to April 2024, when Akhobadze was serving as deputy to the then-head of the service Grigol Liluashvili.
“In April 2024, Akhobadze became aware that a private entrepreneur had had an undeclared sum of 40 million Russian rubles [approximately $440,000] seized at the Lars customs checkpoint on the Georgia-Russia border. Under Georgian law, the illegal transfer of cash exceeding 100,000 GEL across the customs border is punishable by a fine of 10% of the amount or confiscation of the funds”, Gagnidze said.
The director further added that the entrepreneur had appealed to the relevant unit of the revenue service under the ministry of finance through legal procedures but was refused the return of the funds. Following this, the former deputy head of the state security service contacted the businessman through intermediaries and promised assistance in retrieving the seized money.
“After negotiations, the entrepreneur paid the legally required 10% fine and recovered the seized funds on 30 April 2024 at the Lars checkpoint. Shortly afterwards, Akhobadze requested a bribe of 500,000 GEL ($190,000) in exchange for his assistance. According to testimony cited in the investigation, the amount was later reduced to 250,000 ($94,000) following the intervention of then-security service head Grigol Liluashvili. The money was subsequently handed over to intermediaries and transferred to Akhobadze within days of the return of the seized funds”, Gagnidze said.
Investigators established that the bribe money was delivered directly to the then-deputy head of the state security service inside his personal office on that very same day.
The case is being investigated under Article 338 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to bribery on an exceptionally large scale. If convicted, Akhobadze faces a prison sentence ranging from 11 to 15 years.
All News
11 June 2026, 23:32
Politics
Georgian foreign office: Georgia reaffirms commitment to constructive cooperation with EU based on mutual respect, equality, shared interests at Brussels meeting
The Georgian side reaffirmed its readiness to continue constructive cooperation with the European Union based on mutual respect, equality, and shared interests, and emphasised the importance of high-level political dialogue, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Imedi TV.
11 June 2026, 21:34
Economy
Economy Minister highlights Georgia’s strong economic growth
Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili on Thursday stated that Georgia stands out as an economic growth leader, both within the region and compared to European Union member states.
11 June 2026, 20:11
Justice
Georgian Interior Ministry: 17 people remain in Dariali neutral zone without valid travel documents
Seventeen individuals currently remain in the so-called neutral zone at the Dariali border crossing point, and none of them are women or children, according to a statement released by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.
11 June 2026, 17:27
Politics
Georgian FM says PM’s visit to Kyrgyzstan provides good opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Thursday said high-level meetings would be held during the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s official visit to Kyrgyzstan.
11 June 2026, 17:17
Justice
US IRS Criminal Investigation official praises joint effort at Georgia Prosecutor General’s Office briefing
Speaking at a briefing held at the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia, Daniel Harris, Regional Attaché of the Criminal Investigation Division of the United States Internal Revenue Service in Frankfurt, praised the successful cooperation between Georgian, international, and federal law enforcement agencies in a major investigation.
11 June 2026, 16:01
Politics
Joint Georgia-US-Poland operation targets cybercrime networks
A large-scale coordinated operation has been carried out in Georgia with the participation of the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, the United States Secret Service, the Central Cybercrime Bureau of Poland, and the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Łódź, as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia.
11 June 2026, 14:40
Economy
IMF raises Georgia’s economic growth forecast to 6.5%
The International Monetary Fund has revised upward its forecast for Georgia’s economic growth to 6.5% in its publication “Georgia: 2026 Article IV Consultation”.
11 June 2026, 13:52
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker questions Kaja Kallas’ standing in international diplomacy
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday criticised Brussels and the European Union’s foreign policy, arguing that the EU is making repeated mistakes due to what he described as a lack of professionalism and qualification among its officials.
11 June 2026, 13:05
Economy
IMF: prudent macroeconomic management, macroprudential policies have supported further de-dollarisation of Georgia’s economy
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund has concluded its Article IV Consultation review of Georgia’s economy.
11 June 2026, 12:12
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: EU being driven toward Soviet Union-like model
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday criticised a segment of the domestic opposition, claiming that their actions amount to “offering Georgia on a platter” to foreign interests.
11 June 2026, 11:58
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker says Brussels seeks to eliminate China as competitor through propaganda campaign
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday commented on the domestic opposition’s assessments of Georgia’s comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with China, saying that the country’s foreign policy is designed to achieve the domestic objectives, including improving public welfare and advancing national reunification.
10 June 2026, 21:34
Economy
Georgian Deputy Economy Minister: Georgia-China strategic partnership boosts trade, deepens economic cooperation
Tamar Ioseliani, Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, on Wednesday said that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Georgia and China was significantly strengthening economic ties and contributing to strong growth in trade, exports, and investment.
10 June 2026, 21:16
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: blackmail over visa-free travel will only fuel skepticism toward EU
Maia Bitadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Environment Protection and Natural Resources Committee, on Wednesday said that using visa liberalisation as a political instrument of pressure would not affect Georgian citizens and would instead deepen public scepticism toward the European Union.
10 June 2026, 16:58
Politics
Georgian PM: US President advocates closer China ties while his party members criticise Georgia’s cooperation with Beijing
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday said that “double standards” were a common practice among those who criticise Georgia for its foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding its engagement with China.
10 June 2026, 16:18
Foreign policy
Georgian PM says comprehensive strategic partnership with China will bring major political and economic benefits
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday said that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with China would mark a new stage in deepening bilateral relations and bring significant political and economic benefits to Georgia.
10 June 2026, 15:53
Politics
Georgian PM: Georgia-China strategic partnership delivers tangible benefits, based on mutual respect, equality
Georgia places special importance on further deepening cooperation with China, which, based on the experience of the past 50 years, is the only peaceful superpower in the world, said on Wednesday Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
10 June 2026, 14:31
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker criticises EU for turning visa-free travel into political tool
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday sharply criticised the European Union, accusing it of applying unfair political pressure on Georgia and violating international agreements.
10 June 2026, 14:07
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: if Brussels does not support politically motivated crimes, there will be no such crimes
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday said that politically motivated offences in Georgia are being encouraged and financed from abroad, and argued that if Brussels and other foreign capitals stop supporting such actions, both the offences and the resulting punishments would disappear.
10 June 2026, 13:41
Justice
Tbilisi Police Chief: 119 arrested in nationwide drug crackdown
Tbilisi Police Department Director Vazha Siradze on Wednesday said 119 people, including 49 suspected drug dealers, had been arrested on drug-related charges during police operations conducted across Tbilisi and other regions of Georgia over the past 48 hours.
10 June 2026, 12:53
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: Georgia’s future must be determined solely by Georgian people
Georgia is an independent and sovereign state, and only the Georgian people have the right to determine its future, said on Wednesday Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.