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Former Georgian Prime Minister Gakharia arrested in absentia -UPDATED

Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia

13 November 2025 16:33 (UTC +04:00)

Former Prime Minister of Georgia, leader of the opposition party "For Georgia Party," Giorgi Gakharia, has been placed under arrest in absentia, APA's local bureau reports.

Tbilisi City Court has made a decision to this effect.

The decision to arrest in absentia was made in the "Chorchana case".

The decision granted the request of the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia.

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15:40

The extradition of former Georgian Prime Minister and leader of the opposition party "Georgia for Gakharia" Giorgi Gakharia may be requested, said First Deputy Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Gia Volski, APA's local bureau reports.

He noted that the investigation has evidence.

"The relevant body will decide whether to request Gakharia's extradition. Looking at the situation, the opening of the checkpoint in the village of Chorchana had very serious consequences. There is a reasonable suspicion that this was done intentionally with the aim of creating a confrontation," Volski said.

Regarding the events of June 20, 2019, the Vice Speaker said that the Strasbourg court had demanded an investigation into the illegal actions of the police.

"The assessment of what happened must be supported by facts. In this case, the relevant structures may request Gakharia's extradition," Volski added.

Note that the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia has opened a criminal case against Gakharia. The case is related to the events of June 20-21, 2019 and the establishment of a police post in the village of Chorchana, located near the occupation line. According to the charges, the former head of government could face up to 13 years in prison.

Recall that Gakharia was the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia in 2017-2019 and the Prime Minister in 2019-2021. He left Georgia in June of this year and currently lives in Germany on a long-term visa.

According to international law, he cannot be extradited to Georgia and can only be arrested upon his return to Georgia.