A €2 Million Lottery Win and Judicial Corruption: The Scandalous Case of Lasha Janibegashvili

One of the largest and most high-profile legal disputes in the history of the Georgian judiciary is currently unfolding in the common courts, now reaching the Supreme Court.

The case concerns 2 million Euros won in a lottery by a Georgian emigrant. The proceedings reveal a severe alleged criminal scheme involving organized crime, blackmail, and systemic corruption within the court system. The case is being handled by lawyer Lasha Janibegashvili, alongside partners Saba Khelashvili and Zurab Vanishvili, in the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor’s Office in Tbilisi.

Blackmail and Extortion of Property

The essence of the case is shocking: an individual who won €2 million in a lottery abroad returned to Georgia following the death of their mother.

According to the lawyers and the victim’s testimony, upon returning to the homeland, the victim was subjected to unprecedented psychological pressure, deception, and death threats made in the name of members of the so-called "thieves’ world" (organized crime). As a result of this severe blackmail, the individual was forced to sign a fictitious document—a debt recognition agreement—which did not reflect any actual legal relationship or transaction.

Allegations of Corruption and the Involvement of a Former Prosecutor General

This coerced debt agreement later became the primary evidence used by the opposing party in court. It is alleged that with the assistance of an organized group of corrupt judges, the victim is at risk of being stripped of their entire property.

"The decisions and justifications provided by the City and Appellate courts are beyond all logic and legal criticism," states lawyer Lasha Janibegashvili.

The case is further clouded by the fact that the interests of the opposing party in the Supreme Court are being represented by a former Prosecutor General of Georgia.

International Legal Defense Strategy

As the case is currently before the Supreme Court of Georgia, Lasha Janibegashvili has announced a multi-faceted international strategy. Due to the clear signs of corruption, all evidence will be forwarded to:

• International Organizations;

• Embassies of various countries;

• The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the ineffective investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office.

The defense team, led by Janibegashvili, is demanding:

1. The inclusion of the responsible judges on the Magnitsky Sanctions List.

2. The granting of Persona Non Grata status to these officials.

3. A ban on their entry into the USA, EU, and Canada.

4. The freezing and confiscation of their assets held abroad.

Legal Accountability and International Monitoring

The lawyers' position is clear: the issue of criminal liability for specific judges will be raised. If the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office fails to provide an effective investigation, the case will move into the international legal sphere and be appealed outside the country's borders.

"My principle is to actively use every national and international mechanism in any case where corruption, nepotism, and the oppression of citizens are evident," says Lasha Janibegashvili.

See Also: Last night, 72 individuals linked to the "thieves' world" were arrested in Batumi.

Detailed case reviews and additional materials are available on our official page. The case concerns approximately 2 million Euros won in a lottery.

#LashaJanibegashvili #LegalScandal #Georgia #JudicialCorruption #LotteryWinner #JusticeSystem #SupremeCourtOfGeorgia