Former Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili acknowledged that he has been receiving illegal income for many years while cooperating with the investigation, authorities said on Wednesday, according to LETA citing AFP.
Last week, the anti-corruption prosecutor's office and security services conducted searches at the homes and offices of several former high-ranking officials. Some commentators believe this indicates an internal conflict within the ruling elite.
The prosecutor's office stated that the searches are related to several criminal cases but did not specify which particular crimes they were initiated for.
The searches targeted individuals who have been associated with the ruling party "Georgian Dream" and security services for a long time. Millions of dollars in cash, documents, and electronic devices were seized during the searches.
Garibashvili "is fully cooperating with the investigation and has acknowledged that he has been receiving illegal income for many years," said Emzar Gagnidze, head of the anti-corruption bureau of the State Security Service, to journalists.
In September, former Minister of Defense in Garibashvili's government, Juansher Burchuladze, was arrested and charged with money laundering and abuse of power.
43-year-old Garibashvili served as Prime Minister for two terms and is considered an ally of the oligarch and founder of the "Georgian Dream" party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Experts link his arrest to the escalating conflict within the "Georgian Dream" party.
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