According to prosecutor Mikheil Sadradze, Giorgi Bachoshvili, the former head of the Co-investment Fund, unlawfully appropriated 8,986 bitcoins belonging to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the "Georgian Dream" party.

The prosecutor explained this in his opening statement, which he is currently delivering in the Tbilisi City Court.

According to Sadradze, the bitcoins in question were worth up to 43 million dollars in 2017.

Sadradze stated that the actions attributed to Bachoshvili are supported by evidence, with much of it being documentary.

He also explained that evidence of a nature that constitutes a de facto confession by the defendant will be examined. According to the prosecutor, this evidence demonstrates both the appropriation of the bitcoins and the laundering of money.

Additionally, Sadradze mentioned that individuals with the appropriate mandates will be questioned in court, and the evidence presented by the prosecution is of the highest quality.

The state prosecution demands that Giorgi Bachoshvili be found guilty on all charges.

For reference, the charges against Giorgi Bachoshvili relate to actions taken in 2017. Specifically, according to the prosecutor's office, Bachoshvili gave only 536,900 USD to an investor in exchange for the total profit made from their investment, while unlawfully appropriating the remaining 8,986 bitcoins, which were worth up to 43 million USD at the time.

Giorgi Bachoshvili does not consider himself guilty of the charges.

This offense carries a sentence of imprisonment for a period of 9 to 12 years.