Anti-Corruption Bureau Labels Transparency International - Georgia and Choose Europe as Electoral Entities
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, September 26, 2024
On September 24, Georgia's Anti-Corruption Bureau recognized Transparency International - Georgia (TI Georgia), its director Eka Gigauri, as well as the organization Choose Europe, its director Khatuna Lagazidze, and the co-founders as entities with declared electoral goals. This classification subjects them to the restrictions outlined in Chapter III of the Organic Law of Georgia on Political Associations of Citizens. They have been ordered to submit financial reports to the Bureau within five days.
"If the decision is not implemented, I will need to make a new decision, and we will calculate the mentioned costs with monitoring. The law allows us to demand the accounts of both individuals and legal entities," stated Razhden Kuprashvili, head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, during a briefing.
Following the decision, Transparency International - Georgia issued a public statement, expressing concern and rejecting the Bureau's ruling.
"As we have learned from the media, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has made the decision to classify 'Transparency International - Georgia' and its Executive Director Eka Gigauri as entities with a declared electoral goal, applying the restrictions stipulated in Chapter III of the Organic Law of Georgia 'On Political Associations of Citizens.' Neither the organization nor Eka Gigauri has yet received the official decision," TI Georgia stated.
The organization strongly criticized the Bureau's ruling, stating that it lacks both factual and legal basis. TI Georgia emphasized that both the organization and its director remain committed to Georgia's European aspirations, a goal enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia and supported by the majority of the country's population. TI Georgia added that they will take appropriate legal steps once they officially receive the decision.
In response to the controversy, Georgia's Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, announced that his office has begun examining the Bureau's decision.
"We started studying it as soon as it became public knowledge. We will request all documentation from the Anti-Corruption Bureau to understand the legal reasoning behind their decision. Once we have that information, we will make our response clear," Ioseliani said.
Meanwhile, both the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) and Fair Elections (ISFED) have condemned the Bureau's actions, calling the decision illegal.
