**Prominent Georgian Businessman Arrested Amidst Widespread Crackdown**
Giorgi Ramishvili, the founder of the influential Silk Road Group and several major companies in Georgia, was arrested on July 6 at Tbilisi International Airport. According to authorities, he was carrying a firearm that was registered in his name but not licensed for carry.
**The Investigation and Its Implications**
Law enforcement officers reportedly seized a firearm, magazine, and cartridges from Ramishvili’s hand luggage during a scanner examination. The investigation is being carried out under Article 236 of the Criminal Code, which could lead to up to nine years in prison. This move has sparked concerns that Ramishvili’s arrest may be linked to his business ties with high-ranking officials, including those close to the ruling Georgian Dream party.
**Shadow of Internal Purges**
The arrest comes amidst growing pressure on current and former figures in politics and business circles associated with the Georgian Dream party. In recent months, several high-profile arrests have taken place, including:
* Romeo Mikautadze, a former Deputy Economy Minister, who was arrested in June on corruption-related charges.
* Giorgi Bachiashvili, an associate of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s, who was arrested after alleging his abduction from abroad with the involvement of State Security Service Head Anri Okhanashvili.
* Businessman Giorgi Chikvaidze and his associate were sentenced to eight and nine years in prison, respectively, for embezzling funds.
**Legislative Package Aimed at Financial Crimes**
The Georgian Dream-dominated parliament is pushing through a legislative package that would bar individuals convicted of financial crimes from leaving the country even after serving their sentence. The legislation also introduces measures to recover embezzled or stolen funds from convicts and their relatives, as well as prohibits providing financial assistance on pain of criminal prosecution. This move has been seen as aimed at Ivanishvili’s drive to punish those he suspects of misusing his funds and breaching trust.
**Commentary**
Salome Zurabishvili, Georgia’s fifth president, linked Ramishvili’s arrest with broader Georgian Dream repression, stating that “after activists, journalists, political leaders, the arrests are now turning to big business.” This sentiment reflects growing concerns about the crackdown on prominent figures in Georgia and its implications for the country’s economy and politics.
**Stay Tuned**
The situation is developing, and more information will follow.
