Three individuals have been detained in Georgia on suspicion of group violence. Among them are so-called “thieves-in-law” (underworld figures) Vato Kipiani and Avto Bilanishvili, better known as Katsro. Georgian media have also identified the latter as a close friend of Bera Ivanishvili, the son of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, all three detainees assaulted a man. The incident occurred on October 14 at a restaurant in Tbilisi. The suspects face charges under Article 126 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carries penalties of a fine, community service, or up to two years’ imprisonment.
Vato Kipiani, also known as Vakhtang Zhvania, is an individual whom Georgian media have linked to organized crime for many years. His illicit activities have also been cited across other post-Soviet states. Kipiani was last detained in June 2021, when he was transported to Tbilisi International Airport from Ukraine. Authorities in Kyiv stated at the time that Kipiani posed a threat to national security and deported him to his country of origin.
Georgian authorities arrested Kipiani immediately upon arrival. Prosecutors charged him with plotting the contract killing of the Peikrishvili brothers, an assassination intended to be carried out in Ukraine. While the plot was foiled, Kipiani ultimately managed to evade conviction. Georgian media noted that it was during this period that he established ties with the ruling Georgian Dream party, becoming a figure “who handled their affairs.”
Avtandil Bilanishvili, better known as Katsro, is the son of Kako Bilanishvili, whom Georgian media also describe as a crime boss. Katsro himself has repeatedly drawn media attention. In 2020, he was summoned for questioning in connection with the high-profile murder of 19-year-old footballer Giorgi Shakarashvili. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia later stated that Bilanishvili did not appear on surveillance footage related to the case and was not indicted.
Critical Georgian media outlets have also reported that Avtandil Bilanishvili is on friendly terms with Bera Ivanishvili, the son of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chairman of Georgian Dream.