Georgian businessman Giorgi Chikvaidze claims imminent arrest following surveillance allegations

Giorgi Chikvaidze, a businessman and owner of a yacht business, has claimed that he and his business partner, Irakli Papiashvili, will likely be arrested on March 11.

Speaking to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFERL) Georgia, Chikvaidze revealed that a court hearing initially scheduled for March 25 was unexpectedly moved to March 11. According to him, the Prosecutor’s Office is requesting that his bail be replaced with pretrial detention, a motion he expects the judge to approve.

“They suddenly scheduled our hearing for tomorrow at 11 a.m. The Prosecutor’s Office is requesting pretrial detention instead of bail, and of course, the judge will grant it,” Chikvaidze told RFERL.

He claims that the move is the ruling Georgian Dream party’s retaliation for his outspoken criticism of the government.

Between March 8 and March 10, Chikvaidze published multiple videos alleging that agents of the State Security Service (SSS) had been monitoring him at various locations in Tbilisi, Mtskheta, and Saguramo. He said he had counted 42 vehicles and 72 individuals tailing him.

On March 9, Chikvaidze also claimed that he found security agents in his home after staging a conversation suggesting he had left the house unlocked and security cameras turned off. He later posted a video showing an alleged confrontation with security agents. The footage captures a Mercedes vehicle, with Chikvaidze questioning the men in the car: “What were you doing in my house?” The two individuals inside cover their faces, refuse to engage, and quickly drive away.

The 38-year-old businessman, who was a longtime supporter of the Georgian Dream government and actively assisted in election campaigns, has in recent months accused the authorities of racketeering, facilitating business takeovers, and even plotting his physical elimination.

“As I see it, by around 12 p.m. tomorrow, a court ruling will be issued, and by 1 p.m., I expect to be arrested,” Chikvaidze said.