Georgian Airways denies role in alleged forced return of Ivanishvili’s former adviser

Georgian Airways has issued a statement rejecting allegations made in court by Giorgi Bachiashvili, former head of Georgia’s Co-Investment Fund, who claimed he was kidnapped abroad and forcibly returned to Georgia aboard one of the airline’s aircraft.

In response to Bachiashvili's courtroom testimony, Georgian Airways told Radio Liberty that all passengers on their flights board through legal procedures and under the supervision of international and national authorities. The company declined to confirm whether Bachiashvili was among the passengers on the specific flight in question.

“We wish to state clearly that it is impossible for any person to board or travel on an international flight operated by any airline from any international airport by illegal means,” the airline's statement read. “This process is overseen by multiple relevant authorities, and such allegations are entirely baseless and senseless.”

The statement comes after Bachiashvili, a former financial adviser to ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and a key figure in the so-called Bitcoin case, made dramatic claims in court. During a hearing related to the Mtkvari HPP project case, Bachiashvili testified that he had been abducted abroad on May 24, blindfolded for two days, and returned to Georgia aboard an Airzena Bombardier aircraft without any legal extradition procedure or access to a lawyer or family.

According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, a Georgian Airways Bombardier jet flew from Tbilisi International Airport to Dubai on May 26 and returned shortly thereafter. When asked by Radio Liberty whether this flight was commissioned by the Georgian government or a private individual, the airline replied that private charters occur regularly and that it could not disclose personal data.

Bachiashvili alleged that he is now a “personal prisoner” of Ivanishvili and accused the government of conducting an “international crime” by bypassing legal extradition processes. He also stated that the Interpol Red Notice previously issued against him had been suspended, making extradition legally untenable.

Georgia’s State Security Service issued a statement on May 27 claiming Bachiashvili was apprehended near the so-called Green Border, between Tsiteli Khidi and Sadakhlo, after an anonymous tip.