The Tbilisi City Court is holding a closed-door hearing on the imposition of preventive measures to former Head of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG), Grigol Liluashvili.

Judge Arsen Kalatozishvili is reviewing Liluashvili’s case. The defendant is not attending the hearing. His lawyer, Robert Grigalashvili, read Liluashvili’s statement before the court process.

“Criminal proceedings have been initiated against me. As far as I know, today the prosecution will apply for a preventive measure. I believe that I will not be physically able to familiarize myself with the case materials within 24 hours. I express my respect toward the court, but until I read the case materials, I have no desire to attend the hearing. My lawyer will defend my interests,” Liluashvili said.

Prosecutor Mariam Merdzenishvili demanded that the court hearing be held behind closed doors.

“Witnesses have been questioned. In order to prevent the names, surnames, and information provided by the witnesses from being made public and to prevent them from being put in danger, the Prosecutor’s Office requested that the hearing be closed,” she said.

Grigol Liluashvili, the former head of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG), was arrested on December 23. Liluashvili faces charges relating to multiple episodes, including bribery, so-called call centres, and procurement contracts at the nursery management agency.

According to the Prosecutor General, Grigol Liluashvili is charged under Article 338, Part 2, Subparagraph ‘g’ and Part 3, Subparagraph ‘e’ of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to bribery by a group acting with prior agreement and on an exceptionally large scale, carrying a sentence of 11 to 15 years’ imprisonment.