The Prosecutor's Office has charged Giorgi Udzilauri, the head of one of the departments of the Ministry of Finance's Investigation Service as well as the former head of public relations at Cartu Group, who was detained by the State Security Service with espionage.

According to the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia, Giorgi Udzilauri systematically collected and transmitted various types and categories of information to the detriment of Georgia's interests, on the instructions of foreign intelligence services.

According to the agency, Udzilauri faces up to 12 years in prison.

“The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has charged the detainee with espionage to the detriment of the interests of Georgia.

As a result of the investigation conducted by the Counterintelligence Department of the State Security Service, it was determined that a high-ranking civil servant employed in one of the state agencies, in order to receive material benefits, to the detriment of the interests of Georgia, on the instructions of a foreign intelligence service, systematically collected and transmitted to them various types and categories of information.

The detainee was charged under Part 1 of Article 314 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (espionage), which provides for up to 12 years of imprisonment as a form and measure of punishment.

The Prosecutor’s Office will apply to the court within the time limit established by law with a motion to impose pre-trial detention on the accused as a preventive measure,” reads the information.