Trial of former PM Irakli Garibashvili to be held behind closed doors

The trial of former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili will proceed behind closed doors. Tbilisi City Court decided recently. The court granted the prosecution’s motion to close the proceedings to the public and press.

Before the ruling, the defendant Irakli Garibashvili, who is present in the courtroom, addressed the court.

Garibashvili stated that he opposed closing the trial. He asserted that the case is politically motivated and built on slander, requesting an open process so the public can learn the truth.

“I oppose this motion; I am against closing the session. I want the public to know the truth: that this is a politically motivated case built on defamation. It is vital that the proceedings are held in public and transparently, so that everyone can see these charges are groundless. I categorically oppose this motion and request that it not be granted,” Irakli Garibashvili noted.

Today’s ongoing proceedings at Tbilisi City Court concern corruption charges. Prosecutors accuse the former Prime Minister of accepting a particularly large bribe, an offence carrying a potential prison sentence of 11 to 15 years.