The Ministry of Defense is demanding compensation from the former head of the ministry, Juansher Burchuladze, if the charges against him are confirmed.

This was announced by Giorgi Tsabadze, Head of the Legal Department of the Ministry, at today’s court hearing.

According to him, if the alleged misuse of 6,009,000 GEL is confirmed, Burchuladze will be required to reimburse this amount.

“I work as the head of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Defense. In June 2025, the Anti-Corruption Department submitted a request regarding an ongoing investigation into the misuse of funds. On legal grounds, I was assigned to participate in this case. I appeared at the investigative agency, reviewed the case materials, and was recognized as a representative of the injured party. The case concerns a 2023 procurement—specifically, the equipment for a military hospital. In total, the amount involved is 6,009,000 GEL. If the charges are proven, we will demand compensation,” Tsabadze stated, as reported by TV First.

For context, former Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze has been charged under Article 194, Part 3, Subparagraph “g,” and Article 332, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which cover abuse of official powers and legalization of illegal income.

This act carries a penalty of 9–12 years in prison. Burchuladze is accused of laundering a total of 1,593,212 GEL of illegal and unjustified income.

According to the charges, in 2023, with the assistance of his deputy, a relative, and the former head of the Ministry of Defense Procurement Department, Burchuladze supplied medical equipment to a military hospital at a cost of 3,940,000 GEL instead of 2,606,272 GEL, causing material damage to the Ministry of 1,333,728 GEL.

Additionally, in March 2025, Burchuladze and his spouse purchased property in Spain for 544,000 euros. To conceal the origin of these funds and legitimize the property, they arranged a fictitious property purchase agreement with a third party for real estate located in Daba Tskneti.