I admit the circumstances that through the mentioned actions I caused damage to the state budget and I regret it, but I would like to say that the employees under my subordination were carrying out my assignments, - stated Vladimir Ghudushauri, the former head of the Ministry of Defense Procurement Department, who was detained on charges of squandering a large amount of funds belonging to the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.

Vladimir Ghudushauri was presented by the prosecution as a witness at the court hearing.

According to him, he had no experience in purchasing medical equipment, which is why he could not realize that the amounts named by the companies were higher compared to the existing market prices.

"The minister [Juansher Burchuladze] contacted me and told me that we needed to procure the necessary medical equipment through a secret procurement. He also asked if I knew Zurab Tukvadze and told me that I should do everything according to his instructions. I informed Giorgi Khaidraya about the matter, and he told me to follow the minister's instructions. I contacted Zurab Tukvadze and invited him to my office. When I spoke to him, I realized that he had been expecting my call. When we met, we did not have any substantive conversation. He gave me the details of two companies and told me to conduct market research with these companies. After that, a list of equipment to be purchased came from Gori Hospital addressed to the minister, but the equipment was not accompanied by specifications, and I requested that technical specifications also be provided. Later, part of the technical specifications for the equipment was sent to me personally, after which I instructed Irakli Mgaloblishvili to start the procurements, conduct market research, and I gave him the details of the two companies. None of my employees knew about my meeting with the minister. A price survey was conducted, in which only one company participated. Then the tender commission was convened and approved this company as the winner, after which the contract was signed. I did not verify this company because it was the minister's order.

After the first contract, Gori Hospital submitted the specifications for the remaining medical equipment. At that time, Zurab Tukvadze gave me the details of one more company. Accordingly, this company participated in the subsequent procurements. Since the list was extensive, three companies were declared winners.

I had no experience in procuring medical equipment, I could not realize that the prices they quoted exceeded the market prices, but since the order came from the minister, I no longer asked questions. Otherwise, we would have investigated all companies and acted in such a way as to obtain the lowest price.

I admit the circumstances that through the mentioned actions I caused damage to the state budget and I regret it, but I would like to say that the employees under my subordination were carrying out my assignments.

The minister was informed about all major procurements.

Since in the Ministry of Defense the commission was not convened and this was a harmful practice, it was impossible for critical opinions to be recorded.

As for large procurements, in most cases they were pre-agreed and decided by the minister.

I believe that there are other companies on the market that can produce similar medical equipment," - stated Vladimir Ghudushauri.

For information: Former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze has been charged under Article 194(3)(c) and Article 332(2) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which involve abuse of official authority and legalization of illegal income. The mentioned act provides for imprisonment from 9 to 12 years as punishment.

Burchuladze is accused in total of legalizing 1,593,212 GEL of illegal and unsubstantiated income. According to the charges, in 2023 Juansher Burchuladze, with the assistance of his deputy, a relative, and the former head of the Ministry of Defense Procurement Department, supplied medical equipment to the military hospital for 3,940,000 GEL instead of 2,606,272 GEL, resulting in property damage of 1,333,728 GEL to the ministry. In addition, in March 2025, Juansher Burchuladze and his wife purchased property in Spain for 544,000 euros. In order to conceal and disguise the origin of this property and give it a legal appearance, they concluded a fictitious sale-purchase agreement for real estate located in Daba Tskneti with a third party.

As for Vladimir Ghudushauri and Giorgi Khaidraya, they are accused of squandering a large amount of funds, while Vasil Mkheidze is accused of assisting in the squandering. They have been charged under Article 182(2)(a), (d) and (3)(b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia for squandering and assisting in squandering a large amount of funds belonging to the Ministry of Defense of Georgia by a group through prior agreement and using official position, which provides for imprisonment from 7 to 11 years.

Vladimir Ghudushauri has been released on bail.