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Finance Ministry Investigators Arrest Crypto Manager Over Unregistered Transactions
Georgia's Investigation Service under the Finance Ministry arrested a manager at an unregistered crypto service provider accused of facilitating uncontrolled international transactions worth tens of millions of dollars.
The agency said the unnamed suspect ran virtual asset transactions, including crypto-to-cash conversions, "without mandatory registration with the National Bank of Georgia." Investigators seized computer equipment, dozens of bank cards, documents, $83,903 and 300 euros in cash, and crypto worth $79,600.
The case falls under Article 192-2-a of the Criminal Code, covering illegal entrepreneurial activity by multiple people, punishable by three to five years in prison. The agency said it is working to identify others involved and uncover possible tax evasion and money laundering.
The arrest follows Western sanctions on Georgia-based crypto platforms over alleged Russia and Iran links. On August 9, the US Treasury sanctioned SHPS Shelbit and owner Siavash Kayvanpour over transactions tied to Iran's Revolutionary Guard. On July 23, the EU sanctioned four Georgia-based crypto platforms in its 21st Russia sanctions package, three already sanctioned by the UK.
The National Bank of Georgia has said such platforms fall outside its regulatory scope, noting investigations had been opened against some.
Turkish Opposition MPs Push Ankara to Ease Isolation of Abkhazia
Lawmakers from several Turkish opposition parties called on Ankara to accept travel documents issued by Abkhazia's de facto authorities and open direct sea and air links with the occupied Georgian region.
The calls came at an August 5 press conference in the Turkish parliament, part of a broader "End the Isolation of Abkhazia" campaign led by the Abkhaz diaspora in Turkey, home to an estimated half a million Abkhaz. MPs from at least seven parties took part, together holding roughly a third of the 600-seat parliament.
Istanbul MP Ahmet Sik of the Workers' Party led the address, calling for Turkey to accept "Abkhaz passports as a valid identity and travel document at Turkey's borders" and to establish "direct sea and air links" with the region. He said Abkhazia remains "in an isolated state," partly due to Turkey's own policies.
Turkey continues to recognize Georgia's territorial integrity, and neither Ankara nor Tbilisi has commented on the lawmakers' remarks.
The conference followed earlier calls from some of the same parties for better healthcare, movement and education access for Abkhaz residents. In late July, New Path deputy chairman Selçuk Özdag proposed a "special" travel regime for Abkhaz residents that would not affect Turkey's recognition stance, citing concerns about Abkhazia's reliance on Russia for travel.
Abkhazia's de facto foreign ministry welcomed the campaign on August 10, saying Sokhumi has "for many years" raised the passport issue through the Geneva International Discussions.
