Former Georgian security chief detained on bribery charges

Georgia has detained former head of the State Security Service Grigol Liluashvili on suspicion of bribery, Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze said at a briefing.

Liluashvili was taken to the prosecutor’s office for questioning and was later formally detained following investigative procedures, Gvarakidze said.

Investigators accuse the former security chief of several offences, including taking bribes and involvement in the activities of so-called “call centres”. According to the investigation, Liluashvili allegedly received $1 million from a Turkish investor, 1.5 million lari from a Georgian businessman and $1.3 million for covering up “opposition-linked call centres”.

If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of between 11 and 15 years.