A High-Profile Return Shrouded in Mystery
Giorgi Bachiashvili, a former aide to Georgia’s most powerful political figure, Bidzina Ivanishvili abduction, made a bombshell claim in a Tbilisi courtroom: he was kidnapped from abroad, blindfolded, and flown back to Georgia against his will.
Bachiashvili, 39, once served as a senior executive in Ivanishvili’s financial empire and headed the Georgian Co-Investment Fund. He fled the country in March during an embezzlement trial, later being sentenced in absentia to 11 years. Now, his return is dominating headlines—and raising serious legal and political concerns.
“I Am Ivanishvili’s Personal Prisoner”
Appearing in court on May 29, Bachiashvili alleged he was abducted in a foreign country—reportedly Abu Dhabi—blindfolded for two days, and flown to Georgia without legal due process. He described the ordeal as “banditry,” directly blaming Ivanishvili and calling himself the billionaire’s “personal prisoner.”
According to a close friend speaking to the BBC, Bachiashvili was seized from a hotel in the UAE by unknown men who arrived in multiple vehicles. No extradition hearing was held, and no lawyer was present, the friend claimed.
Official Story vs. Alleged Reality
Georgian authorities maintain Bachiashvili was captured near the Red Bridge border with Azerbaijan after an anonymous tip-off. However, that crossing has been closed since 2020, casting doubt on the official narrative.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze downplayed the claims, suggesting Bachiashvili should be “grateful” to be back in Georgia “in a safe place.”
International Outrage and Legal Fallout
Renowned international lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who represents Bachiashvili, stated the case involves “arbitrary detention, coercive interrogation, and abusive mistreatment.”
Amsterdam argued that the Georgian state acted in violation of international law by forcibly repatriating a political dissident without a court order or cooperation from a host country’s legal system. The UAE has yet to officially comment on the alleged abduction.
A Billionaire’s Grip on Georgia
Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party and widely regarded as the country’s shadow ruler, has long been accused of consolidating power behind the scenes. His vast wealth—estimated at $4.9 billion—was accumulated in post-Soviet Russia, and he retains major influence over Georgia’s political, judicial, and economic institutions.
Bachiashvili claims their relationship soured after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when he reportedly distanced himself from Ivanishvili’s pro-Russian leanings.
Another Ally Falls
Coinciding with this scandal is the sudden resignation of Interior Minister Vahtang Gomelauri, a longtime Ivanishvili confidant and former bodyguard. He left office citing personal reasons, though critics suspect deeper turmoil within the ruling party’s ranks.
Gomelauri has been sanctioned by the U.S., U.K., and EU for his role in suppressing anti-government protests—fueling speculation that Bachiashvili’s case may be part of a broader unraveling of the Georgian Dream elite.
Political Consequences Loom
With Bachiashvili promising to reveal explosive details in his next court appearance on June 9, including alleged connections between government officials and Russian intelligence, this case could destabilize Georgia’s already fragile democracy.
The opposition continues to challenge the ruling party’s legitimacy, citing electoral fraud and creeping authoritarianism.
Conclusion
If true, Bachiashvili’s abduction marks a chilling escalation in Georgia’s political climate, where oligarchic power may now extend across borders. As global eyes turn to Tbilisi, the coming weeks could determine whether Georgia’s judiciary will deliver justice—or enable further impunity
