Tbilisi Mayor and Georgian Dream mayoral candidate Kakha Kaladze has stated that Giorgi Bachiashvili is attempting to portray his arrest as politically motivated, although the case, according to Kaladze, concerns a concrete criminal offense. Speaking to journalists, the mayor addressed recent claims made by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s lawyer, Temo Tsikvadze, regarding media coverage of the case.
Kaladze emphasized that Bachiashvili is attempting to mask the criminal nature of his case by suggesting political persecution. “Bachiashvili has a specific crime. Obviously, he tried and is trying to somehow cover up his political background, pretending that he is engaged in political activities. In reality, we all know his crime, this is clear and known to everyone,” Kaladze said.
The mayor also dismissed media reports that allegedly aim to influence public perception against Ivanishvili. He stated that attempts to politicize the case will not succeed, as the matter is rooted in established facts rather than political motivations.
Regarding potential additional sanctions imposed on Bidzina Ivanishvili by the previous U.S. administration, Kaladze called them misleading. “All this is a lie, a slander. The previous administration was engaged only in threats and slander. All the statements they made were based on lies… The decision they made regarding Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili is absurd, a lie and stupidity,” he said, expressing hope that future relations under the new U.S. administration will take a more constructive path.
