Prepared by Messenger Staff
Former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia Sentenced to 2.5 Years Over Courtroom Remarks
Former Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for publicly inciting the overthrow of the government, over comments he made during a separate court hearing.
Tbilisi City Court Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili delivered the verdict on July 6, finding Akhalaia guilty under Article 317 of Georgia's Criminal Code, which covers public calls to change the constitutional order through violence or overthrow state power. Akhalaia has been in pretrial detention since December 2025 over his alleged role in the October 4 unrest.
The case stemmed from remarks he made during a closed hearing in that separate October 4 case. His wife, Ani Nadareishvili, posted an audio recording of the comments on social media on March 8, in which Akhalaia says he believes Bidzina Ivanishvili "must be overthrown by all possible means." Nadareishvili has not disputed the recording's authenticity.
Akhalaia still awaits a verdict in the October 4 case itself, in which prosecutors accuse him of directing election-day unrest in Tbilisi, when protesters tried to storm the Atoneli Presidential Palace before being repelled by police. Authorities cite alleged phone and internet records as evidence of his communication with other rally organizers.
Georgia to Mobilize Additional $200 Million for Anaklia Port Under New Model
Georgia will need to mobilize an additional $200 million beyond the originally planned amount to develop the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port under a revised model, Georgian Dream Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili said at a briefing on July 6.
Kvrivishvili said the extra funding is needed for a new component covering core port infrastructure, including berths and related facilities. The project's total investment volume remains unchanged at $1.1 billion, she said, but the division of responsibilities has shifted.
Under the original model, the state was responsible for ongoing breakwater and dredging work, along with building the railway and connecting road, obligations that remain in place. The new model adds a further state commitment to build fundamental port infrastructure, berths, and communications, while international partners who become port operators will still need to invest in fully equipping those berths.
Kvrivishvili said $50-52 million in savings from ongoing construction work will offset the cost, bringing the additional state contribution down from $250 million to $200 million. She said financing will come through a mix of budgetary funds and cooperation with international financial institutions, adding that talks with such institutions have already begun and interest in the project is high.
On China's role, Kvrivishvili said Georgia has been in active negotiations with a Chinese-Singaporean consortium and expects Chinese involvement in the updated model, calling the current relationship with China friendly and partnership-based. She said it remains to be seen who will represent the Chinese side going forward, but voiced hope for strong Chinese participation alongside other partner countries in operating and developing the port.
