Special Penitentiary Service [SPS] has issued an official statement addressing recent media reports concerning jailed Giorgi Bachiashvili, former head of the Co-Investment Fund.

The agency dismisses the claims circulating in what it describes as "certain biased media outlets," calling the reports "another defamatory campaign" aimed at discrediting the penitentiary system.

"Given the high public interest, we inform the public that inmate G.B. was placed in the penitentiary facility on May 27, 2025. He has been housed in a cell equipped with surveillance cameras – not in solitary confinement – and has shared the cell with various inmates, including up until July 12.

We would also like to note that on July 11 of this year, an incident occurred in the penitentiary institution cell between convict G.B. and a prisoner in his cell, as a result of which both convicts received various types of injuries. Convict G.B. was immediately provided with first aid in the penitentiary and transferred to the civil sector clinic Vivamedi, he had superficial injuries. All necessary clinical, laboratory and instrumental examinations were conducted, various medical specialists were consulted and, on the recommendation of the medical staff, he was returned to the N8 penitentiary on the same day.

On July 12, G.B. was transferred to Penitentiary Facility No. 18, which serves medical purposes, where he remains under the supervision of healthcare personnel. Due to various types of injuries to the body, another convict is also in the same medical institution.

In connection with the above-mentioned fact, the relevant investigative unit of the Ministry of Justice, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, has been conducting an investigation since the date of the incident [July 11], intensive investigative actions are underway. It is noteworthy that in connection with the incident, a representative of the Public Defender’s Office also met with the convicted G.B.

Attempts to manipulate public opinion with defamatory statements by certain biased media outlets and individuals in order to discredit the activities of the SPS have become more frequent. We would like to explain to the public that not a single such case will remain without an appropriate response. The SPS once again calls on all interested persons and media outlets to refrain from disseminating all kinds of unverified and unsubstantiated information”, - reads the statement.