The Embassy of the United States of America in Georgia has responded to the issues between Credit Suisse and Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
The embassy writes on social media that Bidzina Ivanishvili knows that the money related to Credit Suisse is in the hands of the Bermuda and Singapore courts, and yet, he presents the reality to the Georgian population in a different way.
“Bidzina Ivanishvili knows that the money related to Credit Suisse is in the hands of the courts of Bermuda and Singapore, not the US. Why is he telling Georgians a different story?” the embassy writes.
Bidzina Ivanishvili’s position is that he won all the court proceedings, but he still doesn’t have access to funds, as his “political blackmail is ongoing.”
General Secretary of Georgian Dream, Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze yesterday announced that he had closed his accounts in European banks because he “no longer trusts them” after they had “robbed” Georgian Dream’s Honorary Chairman.
“Ivanishvili won all court proceedings and funds are being withheld on purpose; he is de facto sanctioned – his political blackmail is ongoing. If the time comes, we will say everything and bring it to light,” Kaladze told journalists.
“It’s very simple. These funds are his property. The man won a court case in Bermuda, Singapore. The decision has been made, and accordingly, who or why is withholding the said funds? Why doesn’t the person return it? Bidzina Ivanishvili is de facto sanctioned, because he is being blackmailed, along with the fate of the country. They are blackmailing us to open a second front in the country, to join the sanctions. Trust me, the interests of the country will not be given up. We will maintain our sovereignty, independence and, of course, peace. No sanctions, no personal welfare. Bidzina Ivanishvili is not well known. Believe me, not a single step will be taken against the country. We will always protect the interests of our people and country.
“The man won all the court proceedings and a political decision was made on purpose. They stop the funds. This is political blackmail. I don’t want to talk about various details, but if the time comes, of course, we will say everything and state the obvious,” Kaladze said.
Ivanishvili won a long-running battle with Credit Suisse to reclaim funds stolen by a former employee of the Swiss bank.
Related story: Tbilisi Mayor closes accounts in European banks, says he “No longer trusts them” after they “robbed Ivanishvili”
