Prosecutor Ani Lekiashvili said that former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze will have his property worth up to 3 million GEL confiscated.

As the prosecutor told journalists, a plea agreement in the first instance court has been ruled out at this stage.

"During today's trial, the prosecution requested a guilty verdict against defendants, besides Vladimer Gudushauri, including Juansher Burchuladze, Vasil Mkheidze, and Giorgi Khaindrava. This means that this decision will not be changed until the conclusion of the substantive hearing of this case in the court of first instance. The prosecution requests that they be found guilty of the acts charged and a guilty verdict be rendered. The prosecution submitted a plea agreement with Vladimer Gudushauri, the motion for which will be considered at the next trial. As for the confiscated property, according to the procedural legislation, it is determined that when there is illegal or unsubstantiated property in the case that was used, including for the purpose of money laundering and legalization of illegally unsubstantiated property, this property must be confiscated. Accordingly, the prosecution demands the seizure of only the property of Juansher Burchuladze that specifically relates to these circumstances, namely the Almond Garden House and, among them, the property purchased in Spain,” said Prosecutor Ani Lekiashvili.

For information: Former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze has been charged under subparagraph “g” of Part 3 of Article 194 and Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which involve abuse of official authority and legalization of illegal income. The said act provides for imprisonment from 9 to 12 years as a form and measure of punishment.

In total, Juansher Burchuladze is accused of legalizing 1,593,212 GEL in illegal and unsubstantiated income. According to the charges, in 2023, with the assistance of his deputy, relative, and the former head of the Procurement Department of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia, Juansher Burchuladze supplied a medical device 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.

Additionally, 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 agreement for real estate located in Daba Tskneti with a third party.

As for Vladimir Ghudushauri and Giorgi Khaidrava, they are accused of large-scale embezzlement; Vasil Mkheidze is accused of aiding in embezzlement.

They have been charged under subparagraphs “a” and “d” of Part 2 and subparagraph “b” of Part 3 of Article 182 of the Criminal Code of Georgia for large-scale embezzlement of property belonging to the Ministry of Defense of Georgia committed by a group through prior agreement and with the use of official position, as well as aiding in embezzlement, which provides for imprisonment from 7 to 11 years as a form and measure of punishment.

Vladimir Ghudushauri has been released on bail.