Imprisoned former Ivanishvili financier Bachiashvili alleges physical abuse, coercion in Georgian prison

Giorgi Bachiashvili, the imprisoned former head of the Co-Investment Fund and once a close associate of Georgian billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has released a detailed letter from prison alleging physical abuse, coercion, and denial of legal rights while in custody.

In the letter published on Monday and made public by his legal team, Bachiashvili recounted a “violent attack” that he claimed took place inside Prison No. 8 on the evening of 11 July. He also alleged that the incident followed pressure from the prison warden to disclose sensitive financial information linked to Ivanishvili, whose Georgian Dream coalition defeated the United National Movement in the 2012 parliamentary vote. 

Bachiashvili claimed the head of the facility, Davit Gogoberishvili, summoned him on 8 July and introduced him to Ivanishvili “on a friendly basis,” allegedly urging him to open access to his bank accounts and cryptocurrency assets. When Bachiashvili declined, citing ongoing legal violations and the confiscation of his property, he claimed he was warned that he was “not in a position to set conditions.”

Three days later, Bachiashvili said he was assaulted in his cell by an unknown man - tall, athletic, and dressed in civilian clothes - who entered without explanation. The attacker, according to Bachiashvili, beat him, bit his arm until it bled, broke a glass over his head, and repeatedly slammed his head against a wall. The prisoner claimed he temporarily lost consciousness and sustained multiple injuries, including facial swelling, lacerations, a knocked-out tooth, and concussion-like symptoms.

Bachiashvili further noted that while the assault occurred under video surveillance, prison staff - including the day supervisor - failed to intervene. He was later transferred to the Vivamedi Tbilisi clinic, where doctors treated his wounds, including stitches to the head and wrist. He claimed he was forcibly removed from the clinic and returned to prison against his will at 3:00 a.m. on 12 July, despite being physically unwell.

That night, Bachiashvili said two female investigators arrived and demanded he surrender his bloodied clothing and give a statement. He refused without his lawyer present, a request he claimed was repeatedly denied. Only after launching a hunger strike was he permitted to contact the Public Defender’s Office.

“This was the execution of a threat,” Bachiashvili wrote. “I associate the beating with the illegal seizure of my property and attempts at intimidation.”

He alleged that the incident reflected collusion between the prison administration and criminal elements. “This is the result of coordinated action by the prison administration and criminals. They represent one criminal group,” he claimed.

Bachiashvili has demanded to remain in solitary confinement under continuous video monitoring for his own safety, warning that his life was at risk.

Bachiashvili was sentenced in absentia by the Tbilisi City Court to 11 years in prison on 10 March 2025 for embezzlement and money laundering in what is widely referred to as the “cryptocurrency case.” Prosecutors accused him of misappropriating over $39 million. The case was initiated in 2023 based on a complaint filed by Ivanishvili himself.

After secretly leaving Georgia, Bachiashvili was apprehended on 27 May 2025 near the so-called “green border” in the vicinity of Sadakhlo. Georgian authorities said the arrest followed an anonymous tip and that he was wanted on a Red Notice. His legal team claimed he was “forcibly returned” and risked torture and inhumane treatment.

The Ministry of Justice and the Special Penitentiary Service have not yet commented on the allegations. However, Zurab Chkhaidze, Clinical Director of the Vivamedi clinic, confirmed that Bachiashvili was treated at the facility on 11 July. He said the prisoner was discharged the same day under medical supervision by the penitentiary system.