Scandalous admission by UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava: Ivanishvili’s recovered assets framed as political leverage

Tina Bokuchava, the chair of the opposition United National Movement party, on Tuesday made a scandalous statement, suggesting that the Georgian Dream founder and Honorary Chair Bidzina Ivanishvili would “recover his one billion dollars only if he returns the country to its citizens, puts Georgia back on the Euro-Atlantic path, and restores peace to the nation”.

The remarks came in reference to the recent ruling by the High Court of London, which found in favor of Ivanishvili in his long-running legal dispute with Credit Suisse.

Although the court confirmed that the Swiss bank had misappropriated Ivanishvili’s funds and must compensate him for the loss, a letter from the businessman’s lawyer indicates that he does not expect the so-called “deep state” to allow him access to his assets even after winning the case.

Bokuchava echoed that sentiment, reinforcing the claim during her briefing.

Despite the fact that Ivanishvili’s assets have no formal link to political activity and that the final-instance court ruling confirmed the Swiss bank’s responsibility for the misappropriation of his funds, the UNM leader openly asserted that Ivanishvili would regain the money “only if he returns the country to its citizens”.

Her statement amounts to an explicit acknowledgment that the funds - identified by the court as unlawfully seized - are being used as a form of political pressure against the former prime minister