TBILISI, DFWatch–A growing wave of speculation is surrounding the case of Tornike Rizhvadze, the former head of government in Georgia’s Adjara region, who is currently recovering in a Turkish hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest.
As official channels await the outcome of an investigation, opposition figures and political commentators allege a web of pressure, blackmail, and systemic coercion behind the incident.
Rizhvadze was hospitalized on July 7 with a chest wound under circumstances initially reported as a suicide attempt. He was later transferred from a local clinic to Tbilisi and eventually moved abroad for further treatment. One individual, Aleksi Akhvlediani, has been charged with negligent firearm storage and released on bail.
Now, several prominent opposition figures are suggesting a deeper backstory. Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, a jailed opposition leader, claimed in a Facebook post that Rizhvadze had been subjected to blackmail and psychological pressure by unnamed figures demanding money and betrayal of close associates.
Former lawmaker Givi Targamadze echoed the claims, alleging in a lengthy letter from detention that Rizhvadze’s father was unofficially detained and that family members had fled the country due to mounting pressure. He asserted that Rizhvadze had been caught between state power structures and powerful criminal networks linked to drug trafficking and fraudulent call center operations. “He was handed control over funds from sources he couldn’t handle,” Targamadze wrote.
The former official’s inner circle has remained silent, and ruling party figures have largely avoided commenting on the allegations.
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze wished Rizhvadze a swift recovery but declined to discuss the case further, saying he had no additional information.
