Georgian businessman Giorgi Ramishvili, founder of Silk Road Group, Silknet, and Euronews Georgia, was arrested on July 6 at Tbilisi International Airport.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), a firearm, a magazine, and cartridges were discovered in his hand luggage during a scanner inspection at the departure terminal. “Due to high public interest, we would like to provide the public with information about the detention of G.R., born in 1967.
On July 6, law enforcement officers at the departure terminal of Tbilisi International Airport seized a firearm, a magazine, and cartridges from G.R.’s hand luggage during a routine scan. It was determined that the firearm was legally registered to G.R., but he did not possess the right to carry it.
The investigation is ongoing under Parts 3 and 4 of Article 236 of the Criminal Code,” reads the official statement by the MIA. Article 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia outlines the following: Part 3: Illegal manufacture, transportation, dispatch, or delivery of firearms, ammunition, explosives, or explosive devices — punishable by 5 to 8 years of imprisonment. Part 4: If committed by a group with prior agreement or repeatedly — punishable by 7 to 10 years of imprisonment. Background on Giorgi Ramishvili Ramishvili, 56, is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Silk Road Group, a diversified business holding founded in 1997.
Its telecom arm, Silknet, is a leading provider of telecommunications, broadband internet, and pay-TV services in Georgia, with over 1.8 million mobile subscribers and over 250,000 TV subscribers. The group has invested approximately $1.3 billion in Georgia since 2005 and owns Silk Real Estate LLC, which manages major hotel properties including Radisson Blu Iveria, Radisson Blu Batumi, and Tsinandali Estate among others. Additionally, Ramishvili’s holding includes Silk Bank, which reported assets of 188 million GEL as of May 2025. Company and Legal Reactions In an official statement, the Silk Road Group commented: “Giorgi Ramishvili was detained at Tbilisi International Airport on July 6 during border control, after a legally registered firearm — which he is licensed to store — was found in his hand luggage. We urge interested parties to refrain from spreading unverified information, as legal procedures are currently ongoing.”
Ramishvili’s lawyer, Irma Chkadua, described the incident as an “unforeseen mistake,” stressing that the case is not politically motivated. She noted the weapon was legally registered, and her client had the right to keep it, though not to carry it. She also suggested the possibility that Ramishvili may have mistakenly taken the wrong bag to the airport. “How exactly it happened will be explained during the investigation, and the public will be informed in due course,” Chkadua added, noting that a joint statement on the matter is expected soon. At this stage, Ramishvili has not been officially charged.