Former Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze, along with the individuals detained with him - Giorgi Khaindrava and Vasil Mkheidze - will remain in pretrial detention.

The decision was made by Tbilisi City Court Judge Irakli Khuskivadze.

At today’s hearing, the preventive measure of imprisonment imposed on the defendants was reviewed and left unchanged.

Burchuladze’s defense lawyers requested his release on 10,000 GEL bail and proposed the application of additional restrictive measures, including the surrender of his passport and identity documents to the relevant authorities.

The defense also emphasized that Burchuladze is prohibited from communicating with his family members, including his minor children.

“There is no risk of destruction of evidence, and even the witnesses presented by the prosecutor testify in our favor. We are requesting bail in the amount of 10,000 GEL, though the final amount should be determined by the court.

We are also prepared to accept additional obligations, including the confiscation of his passport. As you know, the prosecutor cannot cite a single concrete reason why Juansher Burchuladze should remain in custody. I am confident that while at liberty, he would be able to assist the court more effectively in establishing the truth.

It is not necessary for a person to remain in detention - bail exists precisely to be applied. Let us also not forget that all three defendants are prohibited from any communication with their families, including minors,”said defense attorney Khatuna Khurtsilava.

For reference, former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze has been charged under Article 194, Part 3, Subparagraph “g”, and Article 332, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertain to abuse of official authority and money laundering. These charges carry a possible sentence of 9 to 12 years’ imprisonment.

Burchuladze is accused of laundering a total of 1,593,212 GEL in illegal and unjustified income. According to the indictment, in 2023, with the assistance of his deputy, a relative, and the former head of the Procurement Department of the Ministry of Defense, Burchuladze supplied a medical device to a military hospital for 3,940,000 GEL instead of 2,606,272 GEL, causing property damage of 1,333,728 GEL to the Ministry.

Additionally, in March 2025, Juansher Burchuladze and his wife purchased property in Spain for 544,000 euros. To conceal and disguise the origin of these funds and give the transaction a lawful appearance, they allegedly concluded a fictitious sales agreement with a third party for real estate located in Tsqneti.

As for Vladimer Gudushauri and Giorgi Khaindrava, they are accused of misappropriation of large sums, while Vasil Mkheidze is charged with aiding misappropriation.

They have been charged under Article 182, Part 2, Subparagraphs “a” and “d”, and Part 3, Subparagraph “b” of the Criminal Code of Georgia - misappropriation of large sums belonging to the Ministry of Defense of Georgia, committed by a group acting in prior agreement and through abuse of official position, as well as aiding such misappropriation. These charges carry a sentence of 7 to 11 years’ imprisonment.

Vladimer Gudushauri has been released on bail.