Irakli Garibashvili alleges pressure from Bidzina Ivanishvili to confess to crimes

Imprisoned former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has alleged that Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, is pressuring him to confess to crimes he claims he did not commit.

Garibashvili shared a photo of an unsigned letter on social media, which he asserts was sent on Ivanishvili’s instructions. The letter reportedly outlines two options regarding several prepared corruption cases: contesting the charges in court or accepting a plea deal. Under the proposed compromise, Garibashvili would admit to the charges and receive a five-year sentence that would be absorbed into his current sentence for a money laundering case.

The letter further specifies that the confession would serve as an ‘insurance mechanism’ to ensure Garibashvili does not return to politics after his release. Garibashvili described the situation as a ‘dirty plan to destroy me and my family’ and vowed to resist the pressure.

Political figures have reacted to the claims. Irma Inashvili, leader of the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia, expressed continued support for Garibashvili and pledged to fight current Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.