Davit Begiashvili, founder of holding company Vake 5 and Albatros Group, says the Georgian Dream government has failed to fulfill its promise to restore justice for businessmen whose assets were seized under the previous administration. He says that, in his case, the government did not keep its promise.
The dispute concerns the so-called “Albatros case.” Begiashvili says a 300-square-meter commercial property on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue in Tbilisi was seized from him in 2011 amid a GEL 3 million fine and imprisonment and transferred to the Economy Ministry. Although he later won court cases that lifted the seizures and tax claims, the property itself remains on the ministry’s balance sheet.
Begiashvili says the store is still operating from the premises, but the legal ownership has not been restored. He claims the process has been delayed for years despite discussions about commissions and investigations, and says his official correspondence to the relevant authorities is no longer receiving responses.
He says his main questions are directed at the Prosecutor’s Office and the Economy Ministry, and is calling for the property to be formally returned to his company. BMG says it will also contact the relevant authorities for clarification.
