Head of Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Bureau, Razhden Kuprashvili, has rejected accusations that the agency is unlawfully demanding personal data from civil society organizations. At a press briefing today, Kuprashvili stated that the bureau’s actions are fully within the legal norms and ensures transparency among politically active individuals.
The statement comes in response to criticism from Georgian NGOs, who stated that, as of June 17, the bureau began enforcing what they describe as ‘anti-constitutional Russian laws’ through the court system. Human rights defenders allege they have been asked to provide confidential information about vulnerable groups, including victims of torture, whistleblowers, journalists and pensioners.
“These claims are part of a deliberate disinformation campaign,” said Kuprashvili. “Our aim is not to violate anyone’s privacy, but to study the purpose and transparency of organizations receiving grants or involved in political processes.”
He emphasized that the bureau’s priority is to expose individuals and entities that secretly engage in political activity under the guise of other missions, adding, “We want the public to have access to full, accurate information about political actors to make informed decisions.”
However, civil society groups argue that the bureau’s requests violate citizens’ rights and target organizations critical of the government. They primarily accuse the bureau of misusing transparency laws to intimidate dissenting voices.
