The Tbilisi City Court has set bail at 70,000 GEL for businessman Giorgi Ramishvili in a case concerning the illegal possession of a firearm. The decision was announced by Judge Nana Shamatava.

The prosecution had requested pre-trial detention for Ramishvili, while the defense asked for bail in the amount of 50,000 GEL. The court ultimately set it at 70,000 GEL.

Following the announcement, Ramishvili left the courtroom. He has 30 days to pay the bail.

This is a preventive measure. If found guilty, he faces up to seven years in prison.

While speaking in court, Ramishvili said he had made a mistake:

“I was about to fly out, the pistol was in my bag, and I simply didn’t notice it. Therefore, qualifying the case as carrying a weapon is incorrect—the firearm was just in the bag.”

He also called the prosecution’s demand for detention excessive:

“I deeply regret it. This will be a serious lesson for me. It was a mistake. Something like this could happen to anyone. There was no intent behind my actions.”

The case concerns a WALTHER PPK/S 9mm pistol—with a magazine and seven live rounds.

“Once again, I repeat—this was a serious mistake, but I don’t consider it a crime,” Ramishvili emphasized.

In response to prosecutors Nino Tsikhiseli and Tornike Maharadze, who cited a flight risk, the defendant said:

“Where would I flee to?! I have many responsibilities and seven thousand employees.”