23/01/2025
Bachiashvili Denounces Political Persecution by Ivanishvili; Says Former PM Attempted to Extort Him
Today Georgian media reported on the first day of hearings in the trial phase against George Bachiashvili. Excerpt below:
Prior to the hearing, Bachiashvili said to the journalists that “today begins Ivanishvili’s personal process. This is the process where Ivanishvili personally is the complainant, the prosecutor, and the judge.”
During his speech in court, Bachiashvili said that “this government will fall just like the previous two. And I promise, on behalf of every innocent prisoner, that I will see this fight through to the end in Georgian courts and international courts. I will do everything to ensure that every executioner of this regime is held accountable.” Bachiashvili also asked judge Giorgi Gelashvili for the removal of restrictions and asset freezes, stating that he cannot manage his property under the current measures.
He expressed confidence that the extortion allegations and criminal prosecution wider efforts to stifle political dissent. “Your Honor, today I stand before you as a completely innocent person. I should not be in this courtroom at all, just like many other young people who should not be here today. Unfortunately, under this regime, they are forced to sit in these seats.”
He also criticized Ivanishvili for allegedly avoiding court appearances in multiple cases, including in international courts. “I am waiting for the moment when Ivanishvili will appear in this building. During his personal presence here, I will prove that all of this is his fabrication. But Ivanishvili is afraid to testify as a witness in any court. I have personal experience with this. Whether in the Bermuda court or the Singapore court, he did everything possible to get doctors to issue a certificate claiming he was unable to fly, even though I have flown with him to Switzerland myself on several times.”
In addition, Bachiashvili stated that he is certain, “the prosecutor and Ivanishvili will exert all kinds of pressure on the court to prevent him from appearing at the session,” and the Court will do nothing about it. He announced that he plans to publish the letter soon by which all the details will be clear to the public.
