Relative of former SSSG chief sentenced to 12 years for bribery and massive money laundering

Based on evidence presented by the Prosecutor’s Office, the court has sentenced Andria Liluashvili to 12 years’ imprisonment following his conviction for bribery, complicity in accepting bribes, and laundering exceptionally large sums of illicit income, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia announced.

According to the agency, evidence examined during the trial established that Andria Liluashvili was involved in the criminal operations of fraudulent call centres. He guaranteed protection for these operations through the assistance of his relative, the Head of the State Security Service, Grigol Liluashvili, in exchange for substantial monthly payouts to the latter.

“Between 2021 and 2022, Grigol Liluashvili received USD 1,365,000 in bribes via Andria Liluashvili in exchange for shielding fraudulent call centres,” the Prosecutor’s Office stated.

“The court ruling also established that, to launder the proceeds, Andria Liluashvili deposited illicit income derived from call centre fraud, as well as funds of unaccounted origin, into various bank accounts, both personally and through connected associates. He invested these funds into affiliated companies and used complex financial transactions to purchase real estate and movable assets across Georgia and abroad.

Andria Liluashvili was found guilty of giving bribes, aiding in the acceptance of bribes, and laundering particularly large sums of illicit income, and was handed a 12-year custodial sentence under the verdict of Tbilisi City Court. Furthermore, property acquired through criminal proceeds, or equivalent assets, was confiscated in favour of the state, specifically 70 real estate properties valued at approximately 35 million GEL, 17 vehicles, 125 pieces of jewellery and artwork, as well as funds held in bank accounts,” the Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.