The British tabloid Daily Mail published an article about Bidzina Ivanishvili and his son, Bera Ivanishvili, this week. Based on its own sources, the publication writes that Bera Ivanishvili has moved to Brazil in order to create appropriate conditions for transferring property to Brazil if his father’s property is threatened by Western sanctions.
“Bidzina Ivanishvil is a former PM who founded and still controls the political party Georgia Dream which has had control of the country for the last decade,” reads the article.
The tabloid writes that Bera Ivanishvili lives a distinguished lifestyle in Brazil – “building relationships with local celebrities, attending high-profile football matches, while contributing millions of dollars to save the rainforest. However, security experts suggest that the real purpose of his stay in Brazil is to provide an escape route for his father “We are preparing for the event that Bidzina Ivanishvili’s support of Vladimir Putin will cost him dearly and he will be forced to flee.”
Photo: WireImage
As mentioned in the article, Ivanishvili fears that his billions will not be safe in Europe or Asia, and that is why he wants to transfer his money to Brazil, if the need arises.
“A source who monitors the country told us: ‘So far, Bidzina Ivanishvili and his family have escaped sanctions, while other oligarchs around the globe, including Roman Abramovich, have been swooped on by law enforcement and had their fortunes seized. But questions are being asked as to whether Bidzina Ivanishvili’s return to politics and his son’s move to Brazil may form part of an overarching strategy to protect their assets should they find themselves targeted in the future. Ukraine, for example, has been very vocal about wanting them sanctioned. But they might be less likely to be stripped of their wealth in Brazil than they would in the UK or Europe.
‘Equally, Ivanishvili might be calculating that the West will be more reluctant to move against them if he occupies a senior office after the next election later this year. In effect, it might give him five more years of breathing space.’
“It’s believed the billionaire considers Global South countries like Brazil the safest shelter for his assets. And he made a sizeable donation to a Brazil forest recovery fund after a fire to ingratiate himself locally before his son was moved there – showing his plan coming together,” reads the article.
Read the full article here.
