64 Project

6/ The case has intensified scrutiny of Ivanishvili’s control over Georgia’s judiciary and security services. #GeorgiaProtests

5/ Bachiashvili’s lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, condemned the “forcible return” and warned of torture risks, citing Georgia’s history of judicial abuse. Transparency International has questioned the evidence against Bachiashvili, noting Ivanishvili’s influence.

4/ The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) claims Bachiashvili was arrested on May 26 near the “green zone” border with Azerbaijan and Armenia, following an anonymous tip. This contradicts his kidnapping claim, raising questions about the SSSG’s account.

3/ Bachiashvili fled Georgia on March 4, citing “black holes in the system” to evade an 11-year sentence in absentia for allegedly embezzling $42.7 million in bitcoins (~9,000 bitcoins) from Ivanishvili. He and his lawyers call the charges politically motivated.

2/ At his court hearing, Bachiashvili declared, “Today, I am Bidzina Ivanishvili’s personal prisoner,” accusing the Georgian Dream founder of orchestrating an “international crime.”

1/ Giorgi Bachiashvili, former aide and business partner of Bidzina Ivanishvili, alleges he was kidnapped abroad on May 24, blindfolded for two days, and forcibly flown to Tbilisi on an Airzena (Georgian Airways) Bombardier plane. He appeared in court today, May 30.

10/ Critics argue the commission lacks legitimacy and serves to silence opposition voices ahead of critical political moments. Melia’s arrest underscores growing tensions in Georgia’s political landscape. #GeorgiaProtests

9/ Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia complied with the commission’s summons, avoiding arrest. His decision has sparked debate among opposition groups about how to counter Georgian Dream’s tactics.

8/ Nika Gvaramia, Ahali Party co-chair, faces a court hearing on June 7 for refusing to pay similar fines. Meanwhile, opposition leaders like Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze of Lelo/Strong Georgia paid fines to avoid detention.

7/ On May 22, Zurab Japaridze, leader of Girchi – More Freedom and a Coalition for Change member, was detained on similar charges. Japaridze’s inclusion, despite not being part of the UNM government, has intensified criticism of the commission’s motives.

6/ On May 14, former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was arrested for refusing to pay fines for non-compliance with the commission, which claims to investigate alleged crimes from the 2003–2012 UNM government era.

5/ Melia’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on opposition leaders who refuse to comply with a controversial parliamentary investigative commission, established by Georgian Dream and widely criticized as a tool to suppress dissent.

4/ Propaganda media linked to the MIA cited Melia’s alleged “disobedience to police,” a common pretext used to detain anti-Georgian Dream activists and politicians. Melia had previously declared he would not attend the “sham hearing” but was prepared for jail.

3/ Eyewitnesses reported hundreds of Criminal Police officers at the scene, confiscating memory cards from vehicles and preventing filming. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the arrest.

2/ On May 28, the Prosecutor General’s Office unexpectedly requested a postponement of Melia’s hearing. Hours later, Melia was detained on the street, raising concerns about the Georgian Dream regime’s disregard for legal procedures.

1/ Nika Melia, co-chairman of the Ahali Party and member of the Coalition for Change, was arrested yesterday evening, one day before his scheduled court hearing on charges related to his refusal to pay bail for non-compliance with a Georgian Dream-led parliamentary commission.

Full story here: bsky.app/profile/64pr...

Last week, Zurab Japaridze, chairman of the Girchi More Freedom Party, was arrested on similar charges. Another co-chair of the Ahali Party, Nika Gvaramia faces similar punishment. 4/

The commission, established by the ruling Georgian Dream party, is widely criticized as lacking legitimacy. It claims to investigate past government actions but is seen by many as a mechanism to suppress dissent. 3/

Melia, previously arrested in 2021 over the 2019 Gavrilov’s Night protests, has stated he will not attend what he calls a “sham hearing.” 2/

The co-chairman of the Ahali Party faces charges for refusing to participate in Georgian Dream’s parliamentary investigative commission. 1/

5/ Ivanishvili states that he proposed that Ambassador Dunnigan meet with his PM Irakli Kobakhidze, but the Embassy allegedly declined. He claims this indicates a U.S. focus on “personal blackmail” rather than genuine diplomatic engagement.

3/ Ivanishvili stated that such pressures create a “complex” where state decisions could appear driven by personal interests, which he deems “fundamentally unacceptable.” He referenced a similar refusal to meet former U.S. official James O’Brien for the same reason.

2/ In a written statement, Ivanishvili argued that meeting the ambassador amid “personal blackmail” would be inappropriate. He cited “informal and formal sanctions” against him, including a Swiss bank withholding “legally won funds”.

1/ Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chair of Georgian Dream, responded to a U.S. Embassy statement claiming he declined a May 22 meeting with Ambassador Robin Dunnigan to discuss a message from the Trump Administration.

Gomelauri was not the only official to step down today. Vazha Siradze, head of the Patrol Police, also resigned. Both resignations were leaked to the media a month ago, prompting speculation that they reflect Ivanishvili’s efforts to consolidate power under his PM, Irakli Kobakhidze. 3/3

The new minister, Gela Geladze, emerged as a surprise appointment, with his name surfacing publicly for the first time today. Public records indicate that Geladze has held various government positions since 2005, though little else is known about his background. 2/

This morning, Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri, announced his resignation. Gomelauri, sanctioned by the UK, USA under the Magnitsky Act, and the Baltic States, has been one of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s closest aides since the latter’s rise to prominence. 1/

1/ Georgia is witnessing a series of arrests targeting opposition leaders who have refused to comply with a controversial parliamentary investigative commission.

May 26, Independence Day of Georgia and 180th day of non-stop #GeorgiaProtests.