Prosecutor’s Office to question ex-PM Garibashvili over claims about human right defender’s death

Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office on Tursday said the death of former human rights defender Lazare Jorbenadze has been “reliably established as a suicide”, but has nevertheless decided to question jailed former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and several other public figures after their statements raised questions about the circumstances of Jorbenadze’s death.

The case dates to April 4, 2026, when Jorbenadze died in what authorities have described as a suicide. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the Interior Ministry has since conducted a number of investigative and procedural measures and questioned people who had contact with Jorbenadze, including members of his family and his wife. The agency claimed the steps have confirmed the suicide at this stage.

The renewed attention to the case has followed a recent letter published by Garibashvili. In the letter, Garibashvili questioned the circumstances surrounding Jorbenadze’s death and asked what the “real cause” of his death was. He linked the issue to an article published by Asaval-Dasavali newspaper in February featuring an interview with Jorbenadze that was critical of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Garibashvili said that, on February 12, he was sent the February 2 issue of Asaval-Dasavali at the alleged direction of Kobakhidze and former official Mamuka Mdinaradze. According to Garibashvili, the article contained criticism and serious allegations against Kobakhidze, and he was subsequently asked whether he was behind such critical publications. He said he rejected the suggestion.

Garibashvili also said he only later learned that Jorbenadze, the interview subject, had died by suicide. He noted that Asaval-Dasavali itself had publicly raised questions about the circumstances of Jorbenadze’s death and questioned the suicide version. Garibashvili subsequently asked publicly: “What was the real cause of Lazare Jorbenadze’s death?”

Jorbenadze had been a frequent contributor and interviewee in Asaval-Dasavali. Earlier in 2026, he made claims in the newspaper concerning Kobakhidze and an alleged agreement involving territory around the David Gareji monastery complex, after which he faced criticism on social media.

In response to the renewed allegations, the Prosecutor’s Office said that, despite its current conclusion regarding the cause of death, statements made publicly by Garibashvili and others warrant additional questioning.

The individuals named by the Prosecutor’s Office are Nika Gvaramia, Irma Inashvili, Nanuka Zhorzholiani, Khatia Dekanoidze, Tazo Datunashvili, Gia Khukhashvili, Giorgi Liluashvili, Zaza Davitaia, Ermile Nemsadze and Giorgi Gigauri. Garibashvili will also be questioned in the case.