**Billionaire’s Accusations Spark Outrage in Court**
Businessman Giorgi Bachoshvili made a dramatic appearance in court, accusing billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili of trying to extort money from him. Ivanishvili allegedly demanded 5,000 bitcoins (a type of cryptocurrency) in exchange for Bachoshvili’s freedom.
Bachoshvili claimed that he received the letter through Ivanishvili’s representative and was told that if he didn’t pay, the amount would increase by 500 bitcoins every month. He stated that this is a clear case of extortion and that Ivanishvili is trying to intimidate him into paying up.
**A Politically Motivated Trial?**
Bachoshvili also accused the court of being biased against him. He claimed that judges and prosecutors have met with Ivanishvili, which gives grounds for distrust in the court’s impartiality. Bachoshvili urged the judge to ensure that Ivanishvili appears as a witness in court, saying that he will do everything to avoid testifying.
The businessman stated that he is innocent of the charges against him and that there is no evidence to support Ivanishvili’s accusations. He said that he has repaid a loan for his company and that his business activities are legitimate and not related to money laundering.
**A Long History of Corruption?**
Bachoshvili accused Ivanishvili of using the court as a tool for punishment, echoing the tactics of the previous government. He claimed that Ivanishvili has repeated all the mistakes of the past government and is trying to prolong his corrupt rule.
The businessman also stated that he could have stayed silent and agreed to Ivanishvili’s demands, but he refused. He said that he wants justice and wants Ivanishvili to appear in court to answer for his actions.
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