Bachiashvili's advocates treat his return to Georgia as forced

The State Security Service of Georgia has reported the detention at the border of Giorgi Bachiashvili, a former head of the co-investment fund, who was sentenced to 11 years in jail within the case of embezzling bitcoins belonging to Bidzina Ivanishvili. His advocates have stated that Giorgi’s prosecution was politically motivated.

The international law firm “Amsterdam & Partners”, which is representing Bachiashvili’s interests, has stated it’s intention to make use “of all possible legal ways to hold Georgia accountable for the illegal actions committed in Mr Bachiashvili’s case, by challenge the ongoing distortion of justice in Georgia, and seek compensation for Bachiashvili’s arbitrary detention and ill-treatment,” the “InterPressNews” has quoted the above firm as stating.

The “Amsterdam & Partners” claims that Bachiashvili is a target of a political persecution campaign led by Bidzina Ivanishvili.

“The current criminal cases against Bachiashvili in Georgia, including baseless and old charges related to his legitimate business activities dating back more than a decade, reflect the systematic use of the judiciary as an instrument of political control. The Bachiashvili’s forced return to Georgia puts him at immediate risk of arbitrary detention, forced interrogation, and ill-treatment,” the statement says.

The “Amsterdam & Partners” claims that the trials against Bachiashvili in Georgia are an example of how "politically connected prosecutors and judges are being used to silence opponents of the regime and destroy independent influence centres," the statement adds.

Giorgi Bachiashvili himself asserts that he had received information from intelligence services of two countries that there was an active plot to kill him. "Groupings from Northern Caucasus, most likely Chechens were involved," he said in an interview with The Guardian, published before his detention.

He said that he has citizenship of both countries – Georgia and Russia, and managed to leave Georgia by his Russian passport.

Giorgi Bachiashvili supported the “Georgian Dream” Party for many years, but then became an active participant in protests against it. According to his story, he has proofs confirming the ties Bidzina Ivanishvili’s and his Party’s ties with Russian secret services.

This was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 27, 2025 at 11:57 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.