TBILISI, Jan 13 (Bernama-dpa) -- Former prime minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has been sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering, the prosecutor's office said on Monday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
Garibashvili signed a confession and entered into a plea deal, prosecutors said. He had faced the possibility of a significantly longer prison sentence.
In addition to the jail term, a fine of one million Georgian lari (US$371,120) was imposed.
Money seized during a search of his home, allegedly from criminal activities, was also confiscated and given to the state, the statement said. His lawyer told local media the amount is around US$6.5 million.
Garibashvili served as Georgia's prime minister twice, first from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2024. On both occasions he stepped down before completing his term. He also served as chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Garibashvili withdrew from politics last year, publicly citing a desire to spend more time with his family and pursue work in the private sector.
--BERNAMA-dpa
