Tbilisi City Court has imposed detention as a preventive measure on Kakha Kotorashvili, who was arrested on charges of laundering 625 million dollars and 35 million euros. Judge Fikria Sikturashvili fully upheld the prosecutor’s motion.
The prosecution requested the strictest preventive measure — imprisonment. According to prosecutor Zinoko Kobalia, evidence obtained from the National Bank confirms that the defendant, together with a criminal group, laundered an unprecedented amount of money, which harmed the country’s economy and state interests.
He stated that the laundering of approximately 58 billion rubles was continuously carried out between 2022 and 2024. The process began by bypassing customs control, then the money was taken to currency exchange booths, and eventually deposited into commercial banks.
“According to irrefutable evidence from the investigation, this is not a simple currency conversion. In the first stage, money laundering began with bringing foreign currency into the country while bypassing customs procedures. Then the funds went to exchange booths and later to commercial banks. If the defendant were an honest person, he would not have entered into such a deal. This is not a one-time violation — we are dealing with a criminal group.
The question arises: if he was honest, why did he not record the data of those individuals who were bringing him the money? He was fully aware of what he was doing. Money laundering was continuously carried out from 2022 to 2024,” the prosecutor said.
The defense, however, requested the application of bail in the amount of 50,000 GEL. According to lawyer Edisher Karchava, Kotorashvili might not have been involved in the criminal scheme at all, and the problem may lie in legislative gaps and systemic flaws in the banks.
“We are dealing with something else here. We will contribute to uncovering the truth. Someone brought him money — how is a currency exchanger supposed to protect himself? The problem lies in the law. This individual may not be involved at all, and the issue could stem from a lapse on the part of the banks. Therefore, we are ready for bail in the amount of 50,000 GEL to be applied,” the lawyer said.
As for the defendant, he is exercising his right to remain silent.
“I am exercising my right to remain silent. I agree with my lawyer,” said defendant Kakha Kotorashvili.
The judge scheduled the next hearing for November 10, at 11:00 AM.
The court has imposed detention as a preventive measure on Kakha Kotorashvili, who was arrested on charges of laundering 625 million dollars and 35 million euros — the defendant is exercising his right to remain silent
