On May 27, 2025, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) announced that it had detained Giorgi Bachiashvili, about whom "Transparency International Georgia" had previously written, stating that the charges against him were artificially fabricated. According to the SSSG’s statement, Giorgi Bachiashvili, who had fled the Georgian law enforcement system a few days before a guilty verdict was to be delivered in his case in early March 2025, was moving through the so-called "green zone" near the Georgia-Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Bachiashvili’s version of his detention fundamentally contradicts that of the Georgian government

Giorgi Bachiashvili himself completely rejected the government’s implausible version of his arrest. The unconvincing nature of the SSSG’s story is also evidenced by the fact that, while still in hiding, Bachiashvili repeatedly stated that Ivanishvili had threatened to "crush" him in prison and had hired North-Caucasian groups, presumably Chechens, to kill him.

At a court hearing on May 29, 2025, Bachiashvili stated that, in reality, he had been abducted on May 24 in a foreign country by unknown individuals (presumably agents of that country's security services), who held him illegally for two days without allowing him to contact his family or lawyers. In the end, they forced him—blindfolded—onto a "Georgian Airways" plane and flew him back to Georgia.

According to Bachiashvili’s lawyer, no legal procedures were carried out in relation to his case—he was not lawfully transferred from one country to another. In the lawyer's words, “This entire series of events is nothing but a crime, a crime, and a crime.”

At this stage, Bachiashvili and his lawyers have not specified which country he was illegally detained in and brought from. However, according to the authoritative international publication The Guardian, that country was the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, the publication reported that Bachiashvili was captured by UAE security agents in a hotel in Abu Dhabi and was held in a Dubai police station before being flown to Georgia.

Whether or not this information is accurate is a question that must be answered by official UAE authorities. If the country’s security or other competent services did in fact participate in this operation, they must prove that Bachiashvili’s detention and subsequent handover to Georgian authorities were carried out in accordance with proper legal procedures—something that seems unlikely, as the UAE’s legislation requires a lengthy and complex extradition process involving the courts, prosecutors, and Ministry of Justice, which typically takes weeks, if not months.

If the UAE’s official bodies were not involved in the operation, then they must at least explain—based on a prompt and effective investigation—how it happened that certain individuals were able to illegally deprive Bachiashvili of his freedom on UAE territory and illegally remove him from the country, presumably in violation of its border regulations.

According to a former senior official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Russian and Belarusian intelligence services likely assisted Ivanishvili's government in the abduction of Bachiashvili

Irakli Shaishmelashvili, former head of the Operational Planning Division of the Special Tasks Department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, stated in a televised interview with TV channel "Pirveli" that he does not believe the version claiming that Giorgi Bachiashvili was apprehended in the so-called "green zone." According to him, “Transfers of people like Bachiashvili happen hand-to-hand.”

Moreover, he claimed that Russian and Belarusian intelligence services assisted the ruling “Georgian Dream” government in locating and abducting Bachiashvili. “I can provide confirmed information... These individuals, representatives of both Belarusian and Russian special services, were seen at the State Security Service. They’re now operating openly. If previously they tried to stay hidden, that’s no longer necessary.” He added, “Once Bachiashvili comes forward and tells his story, we’ll be able to delve deeper into what role the State Security Service (SSSG) played, how Russian and Belarusian agencies assisted, and how it happened that he went to sleep in Dubai and woke up in Tbilisi.”

The practice of abductions under Bidzina Ivanishvili's government

Georgian security agencies under Bidzina Ivanishvili and the “Georgian Dream” government do have experience with abductions. In 2017, they abducted and illegally handed over the well-known journalist and human rights defender Afgan Mukhtarli to Azerbaijan—an act for which the European Court of Human Rights issued a judgment against both Georgia and Azerbaijan finding both states guilty of violation of Mukhtarli’s human rights. Thus, it is unlikely that Georgian authorities had any moral objections to participating in Bachiashvili’s abduction and illegal transfer to Georgia.

It appears that the security services controlled by the “Georgian Dream” have now gone even further. They are reportedly carrying out abduction operations, illegal detentions, and unauthorized border crossings not just within Georgia, but on foreign soil as well. This is seen as a significant "achievement" of the current head of the SSSG—former Chairman of Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, Anri Okhanashvili. Moreover, as Giorgi Bachiashvili stated during the court hearing on June 9, 2025, the head of the State Security Service, Anri Okhanashvili, was personally present on the plane that brought the abducted Bachiashvili back to Georgia.

Regarding the alleged involvement of the SSSG in Bachiashvili’s abduction, the de facto Prime Minister Kobakhidze stated:"If this really did happen, I don't know, but in that case, not only do they deserve compliments, but also a medal of honor, and an appropriate order should be awarded to the authors of the operation… Even 'Mossad' would envy the execution of such an operation."

"Georgian Airways" and its involvement in Bachiashvili's abduction

As mentioned earlier, Bachiashvili stated that the airline "Georgian Airways" was involved in the special operation to abduct and transport him to Georgia. He even named the specific aircraft brand name—Bombardier—which he claims was used to bring him back. The airline, unsurprisingly, denies this. However, according to bm.ge, which relies on radar tracking data, a VIP aircraft belonging to Georgian Airways landed in Abu Dhabi on May 26 at 12:39 GMT (15:23 [16:39] local time). The aircraft, Bombardier, with tail number 4L-TGB, had its navigation transponder turned off for two-thirds of the flight and only activated it 20 minutes before entering airspace over the Persian Gulf. As a result, no public database contains information about the aircraft’s origin. After landing, the plane took off again at 14:25 GMT (18:25 local time), and once again turned off its navigation transponder over the Persian Gulf—leaving its destination unknown.

This partial, but still highly informative, report raises a well-grounded suspicion that Bachiashvili’s claims regarding Georgian Airways’ involvement in an illegal special operation may indeed be true.

The possible involvement of “Georgian Airways” in this illegal operation is not surprising, given its ties to the “Georgian Dream” government and Russia.

In July 2023, the Ukrainian government sanctioned “Georgian Airways” and its founder Tamaz Gaiashvili. It also sanctioned Tamaz Gaiashvili’s brother, Davit Gaiashvili, who owns 80% of “Georgian Airways.” The reason for the sanctions was the airline’s resumed flights to Russia, which began in May 2023 after the Kremlin lifted its ban on direct flights to Georgia. Tamaz Gaiashvili publicly welcomed Vladimir Putin’s decision to resume flights. According to Ukraine’s sanctions announcement, companies owned by the Gaiashvili family in Georgia also provide services to Russian airlines “Azimut” and “Red Wings.”

On May 20, 2023, the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, publicly announced a boycott of “Georgian Airways,” stating: “This is a company that has always profited from the state in order to enrich itself. It was the case under every government, it continued during the COVID era, and now it seeks to benefit from a new reality that is unacceptable to a large part of our population. I will refrain from using this airline, so as not to further enrich a company that is willing to do anything for money.” In response, Tamaz Gaiashvili declared President Zourabichvili a persona non grata and banned her from using the airline's aircraft.

On February 12, 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Council of Europe and EU member states to impose sanctions on Tamaz Gaiashvili.

According to investigative journalists from Studio Monitor, in 2022 the Georgian government forgave tens of millions of lari in debt owed by “Georgian Airways.” Moreover, the company has not published its annual financial reports on the Financial Reporting Portal of the Service for Accounting, Reporting and Auditing Supervision (SARAS). SARAS confirmed that “Georgian Airways” has been warned and fined for this violation.

Conclusion

The practice of abducting individuals from foreign countries is a hallmark of authoritarian and dictatorial regimes. In Georgia, the first known case was that of Afgan Mukhtarli, which triggered international outcry and ultimately a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The case of Giorgi Bachiashvili appears to be a continuation of this harmful trend. The version of events presented by the State Security Service (SSSG) is unconvincing. A man who had fled abroad because of death threats in prison would hardly return for a stroll near Georgia’s border.

It is alarming that Bidzina Ivanishvili’s unlawful actions now extend beyond Georgia’s borders and jurisdiction. To retaliate against a personal political opponent, not only state agencies but also foreign intelligence services and private companies are apparently involved in a chain of illegal activities.