Anti-Corruption Bureau Instructs Opposition Parties to Disclose Funding Amid Accusations
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Razhden Kuprashvili, the head of Georgia's Anti-Corruption Bureau, has accused several opposition parties of failing to fully disclose their funding sources, which he argues poses a significant threat to the fairness of the upcoming elections.
In a recent briefing, Kuprashvili stated, "The opposition parties, including European Georgia, United National Movement, and Girchi - More Freedom, have not provided full transparency regarding their financial sources." He added, "This lack of disclosure suggests that these parties might be receiving funds from foreign donors through non-governmental organizations affiliated with them."
Kuprashvili specifically criticized the political movement Freedom Square, led by Levan Tsutskiridze. He claimed, "Although Freedom Square engages in political activities, it has not registered as a political party. This evasion of registration means that its financial dealings are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as those of registered parties."
He also raised concerns about the Democratic Festival, which is organized by the East European Center for Multiparty Democracy and supported by the Danish Institute of Parties and Democracy. "The festival appears to have a political agenda, favoring certain opposition parties and excluding others," Kuprashvili said. "This selective participation undermines the fairness of the event."
According to Kuprashvili, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has instructed all political entities to submit their financial records for the past eight months by August 31, 2024. "It is crucial that all electoral subjects ensure transparency in their financial dealings," he emphasized.
Additionally, Kuprashvili called on international organizations such as the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to publicly disclose any grants provided to Georgian political groups. "Transparency from international donors is equally important to maintain the integrity of our electoral process," he said.
