After the cyberattack, anthems of Georgia and EU were played in Tbilisi buses and minibuses
On January 24, payment machines on Tbilisi buses and minibuses began broadcasting protest sounds, including slogans, and statements by Georgia’s first president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, and former Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania. Additionally, the national anthems of Georgia and the European Union were played.
“The payment machines installed on buses and minibuses belong to the Bank of Georgia. I understand that several companies, including Azri LLC and MS+ LLC service the Bank of Georgia. It appears that a cyberattack occurred, but the investigation will clarify where, how, and by whom it was conducted,” stated Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation into the alleged cyberattack on Tbilisi’s public transport payment system. The investigation is being carried out under Article 284 of the Criminal Code, which addresses unauthorized access to computer systems and carries a penalty of three to six years of imprisonment.
In response to the incident, Tbilisi City Hall temporarily disabled the public transport payment system and provided free transportation to passengers.
Gakharia: I will ensure Ivanishvili loses what he values the most – money and power
The leader of the Party for Georgia, former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, has accused Bidzina Ivanishvili of orchestrating an attack against him at the Sheraton Hotel in Batumi.
Gakharia expressed scepticism about the ongoing investigation, stating, “the way the investigation is being conducted and the behaviour of certain propagandist media make it clear that they have no intention of properly investigating this case.” Despite this, he vowed not to be deterred by what he described as a “ridiculous attempt to intimidate or neutralize” him.
“I promise every citizen of Georgia that I will stand on the front lines in this fight against violence and evil,” Gakharia declared.
Gakharia further criticized Ivanishvili, calling him “the main source of violence and evil” in Georgia. He accused him of perpetrating violence against ordinary citizens, young people, and the nation as a whole.
“We must all recognize that for Ivanishvili, who has taken the country hostage, money and power are his primary values,” Gakharia stated. “Our collective mission must be to strip him of both. I promise to stand with you every day, on the front lines, to ensure this fight is won.”
Gakharia reiterated his commitment: “I will do everything in my power to ensure that Bidzina Ivanishvili loses the two things most precious to him—money and power. Believe me, I will keep this promise.”
The incident occurred on January 15 in Batumi, where Giorgi Gakharia and journalist Zviad Koridze were physically attacked. The assailants included Georgian Dream MP Dimitri Samkharadze, a member of the Supreme Council of Adjara, Giorgi Manvelidze, and several others.
Former Head of Ivanishvili’s Foundation: Judges and Prosecutors Frequently Met with Ivanishvili
Giorgi Bachiashvili, the former head of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Co-Investment Fund, has claimed that high-ranking judges and prosecutors — including Levan Murusidze, Mikheil Chinchaladze, and Irakli Shotadze — regularly met at Ivanishvili’s residence.
“I witnessed first hand whether Bidzina Ivanishvili was in power or not, and how frequently judges and prosecutors visited him,” Bachiashvili stated during an interview with TV Pirveli. “I know exactly how intensively Ivanishvili communicated with these groups and exercised control over them. I don’t know of any ordinary person whose house becomes a gathering place for judges during the implementation of judicial reform, especially when significant cases, such as the Rustavi 2 case, are underway.”
Bachiashvili specifically named Irakli Shotadze, Mikheil Chinchaladze, and Levan Murusidze as regular visitors. “I visited Ivanishvili at least two to three times a week, and about half of the time, either prosecutors or judges were there before me,” he added.
On January 23, Bachiashvili also revealed a letter sent to him by Bidzina Ivanishvili, which he posted on social media. In the letter, Ivanishvili allegedly offered to transfer 5,000 bitcoins through an intermediary if Bachiashvili agreed to terminate legal proceedings against him.
“This was done officially,” Bachiashvili said. “His representative conveyed the offer to my lawyer via phone.” However, Bachiashvili declined to name the intermediary, stating only that it was not Ivanishvili’s lawyer.
Bachiashvili served as the Executive Director of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Co-Investment Fund from 2013 to 2019 and has been the Chairman of its Advisory Board since May 2019.