Prepared by Messenger Staff
Former Co-Investment Fund Head Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison
Giorgi Bachiashvili, the former head of Bidzina Ivanishvili's co-investment fund, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison in absentia by Tbilisi City Court. The verdict, announced on March 10, follows charges of cryptocurrency misappropriation and money laundering.
The Prosecutor's Office confirmed that Bachiashvili was found guilty under Article 182, Part 3, Subparagraph "c" (misappropriation of a large amount of cryptocurrency) and Article 194, Part 3, Subparagraph "c" (legalization of illegal income) of the Criminal Offense Code.
The Prosecutor's Office also noted that Bachiashvili is facing criminal proceedings in two other cases: failure to fulfill official duties during the "Mtkvari HPP" project and illegal crossing of Georgia's state border.
In response to the ruling, Bachiashvili condemned the decision, calling it "shameful." He had previously posted on social media on March 4, stating that he was "forced" to leave Georgia, accusing Bidzina Ivanishvili, along with several judicial officials and prosecutors, of orchestrating his persecution. He claimed to be a target of Ivanishvili's "corrupt machinery" and expressed concerns for his safety, alleging that the former prime minister had threatened to "crush" him in prison.
Papuashvili Warns Against Relying on External Support, Cites Ukraine's Experience
Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament, discussed Georgia's approach to international relations and national security. Reflecting on the country's 3,000-year history, he emphasized that Georgia has survived geopolitical challenges by prioritizing its own interests over reliance on others.
Papuashvili pointed to Ukraine's situation as an example of the dangers of trusting external actors. "Ukraine was offered support, but we saw how that support worked in 1994 when Ukraine was forced to give up its nuclear weapons! Or where is the support given in February 2022?!" he stated.
He warned that had Georgia trusted others as Ukraine did, the country would have been in a similar situation to Ukraine today - "a mourning, destroyed country."
"We've been in these conditions for 3,000 years. Our genetic memory should teach us some things, if not our own experience over the last few decades. It should teach us that the first thing we should trust is ourselves and our own people," Papuashvili said.
He also emphasized that the key to Georgia's survival has been focusing on its own national interests. "An independent country should focus on its own national interests, not on having someone's support!" he added.
