Ivanishvili’s Ex-Associate Giorgi Bachiashvili Suddenly Released from Prison

2026-02-18 - 14:24

Giorgi Bachiashvili, a former associate of Georgian Dream founder and billionaire Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, was unexpectedly released from prison, his lawyer confirmed to several media outlets. Bachiashvili had been sentenced in March 2025 to 11 years for embezzling a large sum of cryptocurrency from Ivanishvili and laundering the funds. He was arrested in May following what he said was his abduction from abroad involving then State Security Service head Anri Okhanashvili. The alleged abduction followed his escape from Georgia in March, when Bachiashvili cited “credible information” suggesting his life would be in danger if imprisoned. More to follow...