**Former Aide to Georgian Business Magnate Ordered to Pay $867 Million in Bitcoin**
In a shocking ruling, the Tbilisi City Court has ordered Giorgi Bachiashvili, a former aide and business adviser to billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, to pay him 9,000 bitcoins worth approximately $867 million. This decision marks a significant escalation in the ongoing feud between the two men.
**A Brief Background**
For those unfamiliar with this complex case, Giorgi Bachiashvili was once a trusted advisor to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the Georgian Dream party and one of the country’s wealthiest individuals. However, their relationship soured in 2022, leading to Bachiashvili’s departure from Georgia.
**The Charges**
In 2023, Bachiashvili was sentenced in absentia to eleven years in prison for allegedly embezzling a large sum of cryptocurrencies and money from Ivanishvili. He was also ordered to post a bail of GEL 2.5 million (approximately $900,000) and banned from leaving the country.
**The Escalation**
In January 2025, Bachiashvili claimed that Ivanishvili had sent an intermediary offering regular payments in cryptocurrency in exchange for dropping the prosecution. He characterized this as “blackmail” and maintained that the case against him is politically motivated.
**New Charges and Additional Bail**
Just weeks later, prosecutors brought new charges of negligence against Bachiashvili, imposing an additional GEL 50,000 (approximately $18,000) bail on top of his existing travel ban. After he fled Georgia, authorities opened another case against him for allegedly crossing the border illegally.
**Global Concerns**
His international lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, has warned that credible information from foreign intelligence agencies suggests threats to Bachiashvili’s life. This has raised serious concerns about the safety of individuals involved in this high-stakes dispute.
**What’s Next?**
The Tbilisi City Court has given Bachiashvili seven days to pay the $867 million in bitcoin before authorities begin seizing property belonging to him and his family members. This is a critical moment, as it will determine the course of events for both parties involved.
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