What Does the Arrest of Georgia's Former Security Chief Mean?

By Malkhaz Matsaberidze

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

The arrest of the former head of Georgia's State Security Service (SSS), Grigol Liluashvili, which took place on December 23, 2025, is being presented by the authorities and the ruling team as a new and tougher stage in the fight against corruption. Despite the Georgian Dream party's official position, alternative interpretations are being discussed in political circles. Opponents believe this is not a genuine anti-corruption effort, but rather the result of internal clan rivalries within Georgian Dream. According to them, a redistribution of influence is underway within Bidzina Ivanishvili's inner circle.

The authorities and the ruling party present the case through three key arguments. First, they emphasize a declared policy of "zero tolerance" toward corruption. Leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party insist that no one is above the law, regardless of past merits or high-ranking positions, and argue that Liluashvili's arrest demonstrates the government's uncompromising approach to combating corruption.

The second argument focuses on institutional independence. Authorities stress that investigative bodies-the Prosecutor's Office and the State Security Service-operate independently and without political interference. They also highlight the symbolic significance of the fact that the investigation into Liluashvili was conducted jointly by the State Security Service itself and the Prosecutor's Office.

The third pillar of the Georgian Dream narrative is the severity of the charges. According to the Prosecutor's Office, Liluashvili is accused of four serious episodes involving the acceptance of bribes totaling millions of dollars. These include allegedly receiving USD 1 million from a Turkish investor in exchange for lobbying wind power plant projects; accepting GEL 1.5 million for assistance in gasification tenders; providing protection to fraudulent "call centers," estimated at approximately USD 1.3 million; and shielding corrupt schemes related to procurements by the Kindergarten Management Agency.

Liluashvili does not plead guilty. The court has already ordered pretrial detention as a preventive measure, and he faces a possible sentence of 11 to 15 years in prison.

The arrest of the former SSS head has drawn critical reactions from the opposition. Their position differs radically from the ruling team's rhetoric. Most opposition leaders believe this arrest is not about fighting corruption, but rather the result of internal conflict and redistribution of influence within the ruling party. In their view, an "account-settling" with former influential figures is underway. It is noteworthy that Liluashvili's arrest was preceded by legal proceedings against other former high-ranking officials (for example, Irakli Garibashvili), which the opposition also sees as part of an "internal purge."

The opposition expresses distrust toward the investigation. Some opponents claim that the authorities had provided Liluashvili with "greenhouse conditions" and protection for years, and are now using his arrest to appease public dissatisfaction or divert attention to other issues. Opposition representatives, in particular, emphasize that in one episode of the charges (fraudulent call centers), the Prosecutor's Office is attempting to draw a link between opposition media and Liluashvili. The opposition considers this a political manipulation aimed at discrediting critical media.

For years, Liluashvili was regarded as one of the government's most influential and "invisible" figures, overseeing the country's security and information flows. His arrest came as a surprise to many, especially given his long-standing closeness to Ivanishvili's inner circle.

Before entering public service, Liluashvili worked for years in structures belonging to Bidzina Ivanishvili's business group, which contributed to a special level of trust in him: he headed various companies within the Cartu Group; held managerial positions at LLC Burji and other subsidiaries; and served as director of LLC Old City. His active political advancement began in 2016: he became Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi (2016), serving under Mayor Davit Narmania. He then became a Member of Parliament (2016-2017): in the 2016 parliamentary elections, he ran as Georgian Dream's majoritarian candidate in the Vani-Khoni district and was elected. In parliament, he chaired the Committee on Sectoral Economy and Economic Policy. Grigol Liluashvili headed Georgia's State Security Service from 2019 to 2025.

His career within the agency included several stages: Deputy Head from December 2017 to January 2019; First Deputy Head from January to October 2019; and Head of the Security Service from October 17, 2019, to April 2, 2025. Parliament approved him for a six-year term, but he left the position early, in April 2025 (he was replaced by Anri Okhanashvili).

An important contextual detail is that after leaving office in April 2025, Liluashvili's appointment as Minister of Regional Development was discussed. However, according to Irakli Kobakhidze, the decision was later reversed due to "different approaches to personnel policy." Ultimately, Liluashvili was arrested on corruption charges on December 23, 2025.

Given his former status as head of the State Security Service, Liluashvili's arrest prompted significant international reactions. Western partners emphasize that the process must be transparent and free of political motivation; diplomatic circles have called for the investigation not to resemble "selective justice."

European Commission reports frequently highlight the need to combat corruption in Georgia. Liluashvili's arrest is viewed as a test of whether the country's institutions are capable of genuinely investigating high-level corruption.

Organizations such as Transparency International (TI) have long pointed out that the SSS has been a closed and insufficiently accountable institution. In their assessment, the charges against Liluashvili (such as protection of call centers) confirm suspicions previously raised by international investigative journalists. At the same time, they express concern that the arrest may be part of a political realignment rather than systemic reform.

International analytical centers (for example, the Atlantic Council) note that the arrest of a former intelligence chief is a sensitive issue for regional security. It indicates a certain instability within the country's security vertical, which is an important signal for partners.