“Bidzina Ivanishvili has created an anomalous, corrupt system of governance characteristic of the post-Soviet space, of which I can say he himself is a hostage. It seems to me that, at the right moment, the arrows may even point toward him,” says politician Armaz Akhvlediani. We spoke with him about the recent arrest of former State Security Service chief Grigol Liluashvili.

Batumelebi: Who is to blame when the highest officials, supposed to fight corruption, are themselves implicated in corrupt practices by the ruling party’s own design?

Akhvlediani: “Now, the curtain has effectively been pulled back. Even the staunchest supporters of Georgian Dream can see it: the system is sinking in a swamp of corruption.”

Batumelebi conducted the interview with Armaz Akhvlediani, politician, founder of the Tbilisi School of Political Studies, former member of the Georgian Parliament, and former executive secretary of Georgian Dream.

Batumelebi: What kind of country do we have when the head of the SSS is arrested for taking bribes? Who in such a state wouldn’t take advantage, when even a former SSS chief, a former prime minister, and a former defense minister are being arrested?

Akhvlediani: “Georgian Dream is knee-deep in corruption. It is political trash that must be urgently removed. When the country’s highest officials the prime minister, the SSS chief, and others are themselves involved in corruption, those meant to protect the system against it become its creators. This confirms only one thing: corruption has become the hallmark of this regime, its calling card, as many opposition members including myself have been saying for years.

The regime has enriched itself over the years with this stolen wealth, maintaining power and manipulating public opinion. Now, the curtain has lifted, and everything is crystal clear: the system is sinking in a swamp of corruption.”

Akhvlediani: This is a fundamentally anti-democratic system, one that has nullified elections as the only democratic mechanism for changing power. It has trampled the Constitution and Georgia’s European aspirations. These elements are so intertwined that there is no solution other than dismantling this system and replacing its governance.

In a somewhat normal situation, such scandals would force the ruling party to apologize, announce, and conduct fair early elections but under Georgian Dream, this is impossible.

Batumelebi: You say the system is rotting in corruption, yet Georgian Dream maintains its vertical of power. How does Ivanishvili manage this? Has he created a system that gives everyone some opportunity to earn money, then pits the clans against each other?

Akhvlediani: In regimes like this, corruption is part of the system. An authoritarian regime cannot sustain itself without it. Corruption is the mechanism by which the powerful and high-ranking officials enrich themselves. It is also the mechanism through which they can blackmail and control subordinates and colleagues when needed.

Bidzina Ivanishvili created an anomalous, corrupt system typical of the post-Soviet space, of which I can say he himself is a hostage. It seems to me that at the right moment, the arrows may even point toward him.

Batumelebi: Toward Ivanishvili?

Akhvlediani: Yes. The system’s creator Ivanishvili and all his collaborators are responsible. But society also bears blame: we, who failed to resist the formation of this regime in time, who didn’t react when corruption began to flourish, and when the regime showed the first clear signs of authoritarianism. Responsibility is therefore double-sided.

Batumelebi: How did Ivanishvili manage to dismantle institutions, which were never particularly strong, but now appear almost comical, as with the SSS investigation?

Akhvlediani: It didn’t happen in a month or a year. Over many years, Ivanishvili systematically destroyed the state’s main supports the institutions that should have exemplified monitoring, control, independence, and impartiality.

He broke them by installing loyalists, like Liluashvili. Anyone who resisted ended up outside the ruling team.

In 2013, when I was still in Georgian Dream, it was clear that then-Interior Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Ivanishvili’s close ally, had his green light for everything from Ivanishvili, including all illegal matters. The scandals we later saw with Garibashvili follow this same pattern for all top officials, past and present.

That’s why Kobakhidze’s attempt to show he fights corruption is meaningless. He is fully responsible for this corrupt system. From 2015 onward, he held top party and state positions and never protested the schemes or reacted properly to accusations raised repeatedly by opposition and NGOs.

Batumelebi: How do officials in this system think Ivanishvili won’t touch them? Liluashvili was close to Ivanishvili, chaired the Cartu Bank supervisory board, became an MP in 2016, and joined the SSS in 2017…

Akhvlediani: Ivanishvili created a system of clans, pitting them against each other, assuming he would profit from their conflicts. We are now at the peak of these clan battles. This shows that no one’s “well-being” is guaranteed, not even the current SSS chief or any other official.

Even if Kobakhidze himself is not involved in corruption, it doesn’t mean the system won’t turn on him politically if needed. It’s also possible that weaknesses will be found in Ivanishvili himself, and if confirmation comes from Moscow, the arrows could point at the system’s creator.

Batumelebi: Are you suggesting Ivanishvili could also face a trial?

Akhvlediani: Yes, I don’t exclude that. The system would attempt to show it is open, fighting corruption, and that no one is untouchable. The system may struggle, but it will swallow this. Society must apply pressure; otherwise, Ivanishvili will continue unchecked.

Akhvlediani: Georgian Dream’s system relies on fear. Officials know no one is safe, and those directly or indirectly complicit realize they could end up on trial, so they act obediently.

The only solution is courage, conscience, and refusal to serve this regime. Most cannot do this because they are immersed in corruption.

Batumelebi: How does Georgian Dream justify its claim to fight corruption?

Akhvlediani: Their propaganda no longer cares what is convincing. Many officials are terrified because they are part of the corrupt system. The system has intimidated the public, silencing most. Under these conditions, Russian-style propaganda convinces many of any lie or absurdity.

Akhvlediani: Therefore, now more than ever, creating a new political agenda is critical. The system is rapidly descending into corrupt and anti-national acts. Most of society is frightened and under the influence of propaganda, unable to respond effectively.

The solution is a new, strong, coherent political team. Anyone exposing the corruption is silenced or neutralized, and the country continues to be plundered. Society must react—not only with protest but by establishing a proper political agenda. Unfortunately, the existing political opposition has failed to do this.