**Former Aide to Georgian Billionaire Arrested Amid Allegations of Torture and Extradition Deals**
Giorgi Bachiashvili, a former close associate of Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been arrested by the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG). The SSSG reported on May 27 that they had apprehended Bachiashvili near the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
According to official statements, the arrest was made after receiving an anonymous tip about Bachiashvili’s whereabouts. He has been a convicted dual citizen of Georgia and Russia for some time now, and is currently wanted under an Interpol Red Notice. However, his lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, claims that he was “forcibly returned” to Georgia, where he faces an immediate risk of torture.
This arrest comes after Bachiashvili had been on the run since March 9, when he covertly left Georgia citing fears of imminent imprisonment. He claimed that Ivanishvili had threatened to “crush” him in prison if he were caught. His lawyer cited intelligence from two foreign agencies warning of an active plot to kill Bachiashvili while he was in exile.
The arrest also raises questions about allegations of a deal between Georgian authorities and the United Arab Emirates to extradite Bachiashvili in exchange for supporting the UAE’s candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The current chief, Zurab Pololikashvili of Georgia, has declined to comment on this claim.
**Background of Bachiashvili’s Case**
Bachiashvili was once a key figure in Ivanishvili’s Co-Investment Fund and was sentenced in absentia to 11 years in prison on charges of embezzling cryptocurrency and money from Ivanishvili. He was also banned from leaving Georgia.
Since his departure, Bachiashvili has made several allegations against Ivanishvilli, including claims that he had offered to drop the prosecution if Bachiashvili agreed to make regular payments in cryptocurrency. Prosecutors have also brought new charges against him for negligence while he was working at the Co-Investment Fund.
**Commentary**
The arrest of Giorgi Bachiashvili has sparked concerns about the rule of law and torture in Georgia. His lawyer’s claims that he faces an immediate risk of torture, if true, would be a serious human rights violation. The allegations of extradition deals with foreign governments also raise questions about the integrity of Georgian authorities.
In recent years, Georgia has been touted as a model for democratic transition in the region. However, cases like Bachiashvili’s suggest that there may still be significant challenges to overcome before the country can claim true stability and rule of law.
**Read More**
For more information on this story, visit [civil.ge](https://civil.ge/archives/683774).
