The Tbilisi City Court, presided over by Judge Jvebe Nachkebia, has canceled the pre-trial detention of Giorgi Bachishvili, former General Director of the “Co-Investment Fund,” in connection with charges of illegally crossing Georgia’s state border.
The decision followed a prosecutor’s motion, which the court approved. At yesterday’s hearing, the prosecution requested the removal of Bachishvili’s detention, arguing that he is already serving an 11-year prison sentence for embezzlement related to cryptocurrency funds allegedly misappropriated from the founder of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili. Prosecutor Vazha Todua emphasized that given this existing sentence, no additional preventive measure was necessary.
Bachishvili’s defense attorney, Levan Makharashvili, stated that he agreed with the prosecution’s request for the first time.
The hearing was initially scheduled to review evidence presented by the prosecution, but the session was postponed. The court was attended by both Giorgi Bachishvili and Shota Karumidze, who is accused of assisting Bachishvili in illegally crossing the border.
Bachishvili reportedly left Georgia before his 11-year sentence was imposed in the cryptocurrency embezzlement case involving the ruling party’s founder. In addition to his existing sentence, the prosecutor charged him under Article 344, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia for illegal border crossing.
Shota Karumidze faces charges under Articles 25 and 344, Part 1, for aiding in the illegal crossing of the state border—a crime punishable by 3 to 5 years in prison.
The case remains under investigation, and further hearings are expected as the prosecution’s evidence is examined.
Image: IPN
