Grigol Liluashvili, the former head of the State Security Service (SSS) who was charged with corruption-related offenses, has been found guilty by the court and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

The decision was handed down by Nino Tarashvili, a judge at the Tbilisi City Court.

According to Judge Tarashvili’s ruling, Liluashvili was found guilty on all four counts brought against him: protecting alleged criminal activities at the Preschool Management Agency, protecting fraudulent “call centers,” and two episodes of accepting bribes with the assistance of Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze.

More specifically, Liluashvili was accused of protecting criminal activities allegedly committed by Kakhaber Gvantseladze, the then-head of the Preschool Management Agency, and individuals employed in various positions at the agency. According to the prosecution, they received money in the form of so-called kickbacks, part of which Kakhaber Gvantseladze allegedly delivered directly to Grigol Liluashvili in exchange for his protection.

Grigol Liluashvili was also charged with protecting fraudulent “call centers.” According to the prosecution, a person close to him, Andria Liluashvili, was directly involved in the activities of the “call centers.”

The former SSS chief was also accused of two instances of accepting bribes through Romeo Mikautadze.

Grigol Liluashvili denies the charges brought against him. At today’s court hearing, he exercised his right to make a final statement.

Among others, former Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze testified against the former SSS chief.

For reference, Grigol Liluashvili, the former head of the State Security Service, was arrested on December 23 after appearing for questioning at the Prosecutor’s Office. He was charged under Article 338, Part 2(c), and Part 3(e) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns accepting a particularly large bribe by a group acting by prior agreement and carries a prison sentence of 11 to 15 years.