**Businessman and Associate Found Guilty of Embezzlement, Sentenced to Prison**
A court in Tbilisi has found businessman Giorgi Chikvaidze and his associate Irakli Papiashvili guilty of embezzling large sums of money. The two men were sentenced to nine and eight years in prison, respectively.
**Charges and Verdict**
The verdict was delivered by Judge Iza Kelenjeridze on May 7. Chikvaidze and Papiashvili have denied the charges against them. Their lawyers plan to appeal the verdict, which has sparked a reaction from family members and supporters.
**Claims of Political Motives**
Chikvaidze’s mother, Eka Tsereteli, claimed that her son was targeted because he had information about Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. She alleged that Judge Kelenjeridze was part of a politically connected judicial group and that the verdict was intended to target Chikvaidze.
**Background on Chikvaidze**
Giorgi Chikvaidze is a 38-year-old businessman who was arrested in court on March 11. He had been involved in high-profile cases before, but this one seems to have taken a different turn. Days before his arrest, he posted photos and videos on social media claiming that he was under constant surveillance by state security agents.
**Allegations of Surveillance**
Chikvaidze claimed that he had identified 80 people who were monitoring him, including some who posed as psychologists in prison. He alleged that they conveyed a message from Ivanishvili urging him to accuse the U.S. Embassy of inciting him to organize anti-regime protests and commit unlawful acts.
**International Involvement**
The case has international implications, with Chikvaidze appealing to the U.S. and UK embassies for support. He requested a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Robin Dunnigan or her representative, claiming that both missions were aware of undisclosed details about his case.
**Reaction from Supporters**
Chikvaidze’s supporters are outraged by the verdict, claiming that it is politically motivated. They argue that Chikvaidze was targeted because he had information that could harm Ivanishvili and the ruling party.
The case will likely continue to unfold in the coming weeks, with appeals and further investigations expected to take place. The international community is watching closely, as this case may have implications for the country’s politics and human rights record.
