“Liluashvili being sentenced to 13 years — this already represents a complete transition of this state into a state of terror,” Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, said in response to the 13-year prison sentence handed down to former State Security Service (SSS) chief Grigol Liluashvili.

According to Salome Zourabichvili, Liluashvili’s imprisonment may even have been a personal order from Russia, as it was Russia that would not have wanted an experienced official with international contacts in the State Security Service.

“What is Liluashvili being punished for? What is this revenge being carried out against him? It is difficult for us to say from the outside, but we can say what it is not. This cannot be simply punishment for corruption and ‘call centers,’ because these things are widespread everywhere, and everyone knew about them — first and foremost Ivanishvili and his entire team. Apartments, houses, cars — these were often shown even on television, so nothing was hidden here, and there is no hidden motive here. The issue lies elsewhere. This is clearly a political case, just as the case against [Irakli] Garibashvili is clearly political.

“We know there is corruption. Who among that large team that makes up Georgian Dream is not deeply involved in corruption? I cannot name anyone. Practically, there is no person for whom we could put our reputation on the line and say that they are definitely not involved in some kind of deal and do not receive money. Such people no longer exist. They may exist, but they are no longer there.

“We can speculate about what is happening — is there a crime against Ivanishvili personally, or a personal political offense against Russia? Could this be Russia’s revenge? Could this be a Russian order to ensure that there is no person in this agency, the SSS, who had experience, as well as international contacts and trust?” Salome Zourabichvili said.

Grigol Liluashvili, the former head of the State Security Service who was charged with corruption-related offenses, was 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 Tarashvili’s verdict, 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.