Businessman alleges coercion over property transfer under former United National Movement Gov't

During a session of the Georgian Parliament's Temporary Investigative Commission examining alleged crimes committed by the former United National Movement Government between 2003 and 2012, the businessman Ramaz Akhvlediani presented allegations of coercion and psychological pressure involving former UNM Government officials regarding the forced relinquishment of his property near Lisi Lake in the capital city of Tbilisi.

Akhvlediani claimed that Merab Gelovani, then-deputy to the Head of the Financial Police David Kezerashvili, introduced himself with the words “I am Kezerashvili's deputy”.

According to Akhvlediani, Gelovani expressed outrage when informed that he was hesitant to sign a declaration relinquishing his property.

“He demanded that my watch be removed, my phone seized, and ordered me to follow him into an adjacent room”, Akhvlediani recounted.

He further stated that Gelovani warned him that he would be imprisoned if he did not comply with the request.

“Kezerashvili himself would arrest both of us”, Akhvlediani quoted Gelovani.

The businessman also testified that Gelovani asserted the then-President Mikheil Saakashvili was personally interested in the matter and that Akhvlediani should not dare to resist.

Akhvlediani described a psychologically intense interrogation, during which he was presented with a list of his relatives and acquaintances.

“They told me that if I did not comply, all of them would be arrested. They made it clear that they were capable of following through on their threats”, Akhvlediani noted.

He also detailed an encounter with the former city architect David Akhvlediani, who had recently been released from prison.

According to Akhvlediani, officials used his example as a warning of what could happen to him if he refused to sign over the property.

Akhvlediani described the experience as a form of psychological torment.

“While they did not physically assault me, the stress was unbearable, especially since I had young daughters at the time. They made veiled threats regarding my family. They wouldn't say it outright, but the implications were clear - 'You have a wife, think carefully'”, he stated.

These revelations come amid ongoing investigations into alleged abuses of power by former officials linked to the former UNM Government. The investigative commission is reviewing cases of alleged coercion and forced property transfers, with further testimonies expected in the coming weeks.