---
title: "Terrorist Financing Defense"
url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/crim-criminal-law-en/terrorist-financing-defense-en"
field: "Criminal Law"
description: "Terrorist financing under Article 331 of the Criminal Code: ten to fifteen years up to life; defence by refuting prior knowledge. Legal.ge."
reviewed: "2026-07-09"
updated: "2026-10-14"
publisher: "legal.ge"
---

# Terrorist Financing Defense

> Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/crim-criminal-law-en/terrorist-financing-defense-en

## The Elements of the Offence and Prior Knowledge

Under the Criminal Code in force, terrorist financing is defined in a dedicated provision — Article 331. Under its first part, the offence is the collection or provision of funds or other property with prior knowledge that they will or may be used, in whole or in part, by a terrorist or a terrorist organization or for terrorist activity, or for the commission of one of the specific crimes enumerated in the Code, regardless of whether any of them has actually been committed.

The same part covers the provision of services to a terrorist or a terrorist organization with prior knowledge, the provision of a refuge or shelter, resourcing or any other material support. The core of this composition is the subjective side — prior knowledge: where a person does not know that the funds or the service serve a terrorist destination, the offence does not exist. Proving that knowledge is the prosecution's central difficulty and the defence's central opportunity.

The full text is available on legal.ge after signing in: https://legal.ge/en/service/crim-criminal-law-en/terrorist-financing-defense-en

### What is terrorist financing?

The collection or provision of funds with prior knowledge of their terrorist destination, as well as services, refuge or other material support (Article 331).

### What are the terms?

Ten to fifteen years; by an organized group or repeatedly — fourteen to seventeen years; by a terrorist organization or with grave consequences — seventeen to twenty years or life.

### What is the key defence point?

Refuting prior knowledge: a documentarily substantiated lawful alternative explanation of the funds undermines the composition.

### Is a legal person punishable?

Yes — by liquidation or deprivation of the right to conduct activity and a fine.