Ex-Security Chief Liluashvili absent from court as lawyer explains ‘strategic’ decision

Grigol Liluashvili, former head of Georgia’s State Security Service, did not attend his court hearing on pretrial detention, a decision explained by his lawyer, Robert Grigalashvili.

The lawyer said Liluashvili opted not to appear in court to ensure he is fully informed about all case materials, rather than simply listening to the prosecution’s arguments. The lawyer highlighted that the court session, held in a closed format, involved discussions about sensitive witness information and other evidence.

“The prosecution requested a closed session and we took a firm position. Based on their arguments, the disclosure of certain witnesses - likely the so-called ‘golden witnesses’ forming the prosecution’s key evidence - was not necessary at this stage,” Grigalashvili said.

“Liluashvili has his own strategy. He does not want to be in the position of merely hearing the prosecution’s side without being fully informed of the criminal case materials,” he added.

Liluashvili was ordered into pretrial detention earlier today by Judge Arsen Kalatozishvili. He faces charges which involve the receipt of a particularly large bribe by a premeditated group. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence ranging from 11 to 15 years.