On February 18, Tbilisi police detained Eliso Kiladze, founder and editor-in-chief of Qronika+, in connection with a fraudulent call center investigation. Kiladze is charged alongside several individuals, including former Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze and brothers David and Giorgi Mikadze, under Georgia’s Criminal Code Articles 180 and 194, carrying potential sentences of 9–12 years.
Kiladze, known for reporting on high-profile cases using insider sources, denies all charges. In a statement published via CNews, he claimed his arrest is meant to suppress new details of an ongoing case and highlighted his intention to speak on sensitive issues involving the State Security Service and Gldani Prison.
The investigation revealed that between 2020–2023, an organized criminal group, allegedly protected by Partskhaladze, operated fraudulent call centers across Tbilisi. These centers, offering fake trading platforms in multiple languages, defrauded foreign victims of cryptocurrency worth approximately $9.5 million. The group allegedly laundered funds, paid salaries, and purchased property using illegally obtained assets.
Kiladze is accused of using his media platform to portray the call centers’ activities as legitimate while targeting rival operations through threats and recruitment. Other members of the criminal group have cooperated with investigators, while some remain in hiding.
The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office plans to request pre-trial detention for Kiladze and others, while bail considerations may apply to cooperating members. International cooperation continues to identify additional suspects and victims.
In his personal letter, Kiladze maintains his innocence, stating no criminal group existed and claiming the charges are attempts to suppress information on other sensitive cases. He vowed to continue his fight for transparency and justice.
