Based on the decision of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, “Transparency International Georgia”, its executive director Eka Gigauri, the “Choose Europe” organization, its director Khatuna Lagazidze and co-founders were recognized as entities with declared electoral goals, and the provisions of Chapter III of the Organic Law of Georgia on “Citizens’ Political Unions” should apply to them, – the head of the anti-corruption bureau, Razhden Kuprashvili, said at the briefing.
He claimed that as a result of the monitoring, it was revealed that “Transparency International Georgia” and its executive director are actively involved in the pre-election campaign, which aims at both support for specific political parties and calls to refrain from supporting a specific political party.
“As a result of the monitoring carried out by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Bureau made a decision that “Transparency International Georgia”, its executive director Eka Gigauri, “Choose Europe”, its director Khatuna Lagazidze and co-founders: Sofiko Chkhonia, Nikoloz Shurghaia, Giorgi Rukhadze, Shalva Dzebisashvili, Giorgi Papelishvili, Lela Djejelava, Giorgi Taktakishvili and Ivane Chkonia were known as subjects with declared electoral goals, and the restrictions stipulated by Chapter III of the Organic Law of Georgia “On Political Unions of Citizens” were extended to them.
“As a result of the monitoring, it was revealed that “Transparency International Georgia” and its executive director, Eka Gigauri, both directly and within the framework of the “My Voice for the European Union” campaign, are actively involved in the pre-election campaign, which aims to gain support for specific political parties as well as support for a specific political party. In addition, announcements are made about the mobilization of various material and non-material resources. Special groups are created in social networks, which serve to form specific political attitudes in the society. A specially created website and both local and international media are actively used. As a result of monitoring, it was also revealed that “Choose Europe”, its director Khatuna Lagazidze and board members are actively involved in pre-election political processes, which serve the purpose of supporting or refraining from supporting specific political parties. For this, both human and material-technical resources, presentations, meetings with the population in the regions, concerts, production and distribution of video clips were used, which is related to the financial cost, which amounts to more than 100,000 GEL. The mentioned resource is used to form specific political attitudes among the population and to form their opinion before the elections.
Based on both the Organic Law “On Political Unions of Citizens” and judicial practice, the existence of a declared political goal is confirmed not only by a specific natural or legal person’s direct desire to come to power, but also by conducting a political campaign against another political party and thereby shaping public opinion. in making an impact.
Based on the decision of the anti-corruption bureau, “Transparency International Georgia”, its executive director Eka Gigauri, “Choose Europe”, its director Khatuna Lagazidze and co-founders are obliged to submit to the bureau within 5 days, according to the law, the corresponding financial reports for the reporting period established by the decision. Also to open and present information about the details of the bank accounts that are used for income and expenses related to their election purposes. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is monitoring all those entities that are allegedly involved in the activities carried out to support specific political parties before the elections, and for this they use various material or intangible resources. The public will be informed about the results of the monitoring,” said Razhden Kuprashvili.
TI says the decision of the anti-corruption bureau is groundless and aims to prosecute the monitoring organization.
The organization says the decision of the Anti-corruption Bureau to recognize “Transparency International – Georgia” and its executive director Eka Gigauri as entities with declared electoral goals and to apply the restrictions stipulated by Chapter III of the Organic Law of Georgia “On Political Unions of Citizens” to them became known to them through the media.
“We declare that the decision of the anti-corruption bureau of the Georgian government lacks both factual and legal basis. “Transparency International – Georgia” and Eka Gigauri were and still remain loyal to Georgia’s European choice and stated this in all public statements. Such a choice is recorded in the Constitution of Georgia and corresponds to the aspirations of the absolute majority of the population of Georgia. We operate within the framework of the Constitution of Georgia.
We will wait for the anti-corruption bureau’s decision to be handed over to us, and after that we will take appropriate legal steps,” said the statement of “Transparency International – Georgia”.
