Special Penitentiary Service issues statement regarding Giorgi Bachiashvili

Georgia’s Special Penitentiary Service has issued an official statement addressing recent media reports concerning jailed Giorgi Bachiashvili, the former head of the Co-Investment Fund.

The agency dismisses the claims circulating in what it describes as “certain biased media outlets,” calling the reports “another defamatory campaign” aimed at discrediting the penitentiary system.

“Given the high public interest, we inform the public that inmate G.B. was placed in the penitentiary facility on May 27, 2025. He has been housed in a cell equipped with surveillance cameras – not in solitary confinement – and has shared the cell with various inmates, including up until July 12,” the statement reads.

The service confirms that an incident between inmates occurred on July 11, resulting in injuries to two prisoners, including Bachiashvili.

“He was immediately given first aid and transferred to the Vivamedi Clinic. His injuries were superficial. After undergoing all necessary clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic evaluations – and following consultations with various specialists – he was returned the same day to Penitentiary No. 8 based on medical recommendations.”

On July 12, Bachiashvili was transferred to Penitentiary Facility No. 18, which serves medical purposes, where he remains under the supervision of healthcare personnel. Authorities say he continues to share a cell with another inmate and is receiving appropriate medical care.

In recent weeks, certain individuals and media platforms have intensified efforts to discredit the penitentiary system with defamatory statements. We emphasize that no such incident will go without an appropriate response,” the statement concludes.