Assassination Plot Unveiled Against Georgian Billionaire

Georgia's state security service is investigating a plot to assassinate billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The suspects, linked to Ukraine, allegedly aimed to violently overthrow the government. Six individuals, mostly fighters against Russia in the Ukraine war, have been questioned.

TBILISI, July 24 (Reuters) - Georgia's state security service announced on Wednesday that it is investigating a plot to assassinate billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the ruling party, with local media reporting that several suspects have ties to Ukraine.

The State Security Service said in a Facebook post that it is probing criminal activities aimed at violently overthrowing the government and inciting unrest. The plot reportedly includes the murder of Ivanishvili, who is the richest man in the South Caucasus and the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

While the security service did not disclose the names of the suspects, Georgian media has reported that at least six people have been summoned for questioning. These individuals are mostly Georgians who have fought against Russia in Ukraine. Georgian authorities have for some time accused Ukraine-based Georgians of plotting a government coup. Despite its opposition to Russia's war, Tbilisi has refrained from imposing sanctions on Moscow.