Giorgi Bachiashvili’s lawyer: His passports were confiscated – Why should I be interested in how he left the country?

Giorgi Bachiashvili’s lawyer, Levan Makharashvili, stated that he does not know which country his client is currently in but confirmed that Bachiashvili is willing to testify remotely.

"As this is news to you, it is also news to me. I had my first communication with Giorgi after he made that post. I don’t know which country he is in; the only thing I know is that he agrees to provide testimony remotely. I have no further details," Makharashvili said in response to media inquiries about when and how his client, the former head of the Co-Investment Fund, left the country.

According to the lawyer, Bachiashvili did not notify anyone about his departure.

"His passports were confiscated. How do you imagine someone crossing the border, and then suddenly everyone finds out at 12:00? Why should I be questioning how he left or be interested in those details? It was his decision, and he didn’t coordinate it with anyone.

I spoke to him today; I had been expecting him to appear in court as usual. After seeing his post, I asked what it meant, and he told me he was no longer in Georgia. I have no further information," Makharashvili said.

When asked about the part of Bachiashvili’s post where he mentioned that if imprisoned, he would be left defenseless against "Ivanishvili’s executioners," the lawyer responded:

"Despite the high-profile nature of this case, we have frequently discussed its prospects. After reviewing the evidence, he was confident that there was a high likelihood of an acquittal. Beyond that, I understand the intense public and media interest, but I truly have no further details. I found out today, just like everyone else, after seeing his post," Makharashvili stated.

For context, Giorgi Bachiashvili, the former head of the Co-Investment Fund, has left Georgia.

Alongside the bail imposed as a preventive measure, Bachiashvili was also subject to other restrictions, including passport confiscation and a travel ban. His lawyers had reportedly submitted five separate requests to the prosecutor’s office to lift these restrictions, all of which were denied without justification. The prosecution had argued that there was a risk of flight due to Bachiashvili’s connections abroad.

During a court hearing, the prosecutor stated that Bachiashvili holds a Russian Federation passport and a Hungarian residence permit.