Georgian businessman Giorgi Ramishvili has been released on a 70,000 GEL bail.

The decision was announced just minutes ago by Judge Nana Shamatava.

Ramishvili deemed the incident “a mistake.”

“I want to clearly state that this is a mistake. If I had known this, I would not have taken the weapon. I was going to fly, the weapon was in the bag and I simply didn’t notice it. Therefore, this qualification that I was carrying a weapon is not correct.

I deeply regret this. This will be a very big lesson for me.

As for fleeing and hiding – what do I need to flee from? I have a lot of business and 7,000 employees,” Ramishvili declared.

A preliminary hearing on the case has been slated for August 30 at 3:00 PM.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Earlier today, Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against Ramishvili for illegal possession of firearms.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office statement, “An investigation established that on July 6, at Tbilisi International Airport’s departure terminal, during X-ray check, the defendant was illegally carrying a 9mm caliber WALTHER PPK/S pistol in his hand luggage, along with a magazine rifle and 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The detainee has been charged under Article 236, Part 4 of Georgia’s Criminal Code (illegal carrying of firearms), which carries a penalty of 4 to 7 years imprisonment.”

Ramishvili, founder of “Silk Road Group,” “Silknet,” “Euronews Georgia,” and other companies, was apprehended on 6 July.