Blogger Ucha Abashidze and his wife, Mariam Iashvili, have been found guilty in a high-profile case concerning illegal surveillance and firearms possession. The verdict, handed down on Tuesday by Judge Mikheil Jinjolia, sentenced Abashidze to five years in prison, while Iashvili was given a four-year sentence.
The details of the case remain largely undisclosed, as the court hearings were held behind closed doors due to the personal nature of the information involved. The couple was charged under the articles, which pertain to the illegal acquisition and storage of private life secrets, as well as the unlawful purchase and possession of firearms and ammunition.
The investigation began on May 4, 2024, following a separate probe into a cyberattack targeting several Georgian state institutions, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and Parliament. During this investigation, law enforcement officials conducted a search of Abashidze and Iashvili’s residence, allegedly uncovering evidence of illegal surveillance activities. It was revealed that the couple had reportedly secretly installed video and audio devices in their apartment, recording intimate interactions involving Iashvili and various individuals.
Authorities said they also discovered that the couple had illicitly obtained and stored personal information on hundreds of individuals, including well-known public figures, whose private lives were violated through unauthorized recordings.
