Transparency International Georgia, Choose Europe, and their respective directors and co-founders have been identified as entities with electoral purposes, making them subject to restrictions outlined in the Citizens’ Political Associations law, said Razhden Kuprashvili, Head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, during a briefing.
Kuprashvili stated that the Anti-Corruption Bureau is monitoring all individuals and organizations allegedly engaged in activities aimed at supporting specific political parties in the lead-up to elections, utilizing various material and non-material resources.
Following the Bureau’s monitoring, it was determined that Transparency International Georgia, its executive director Eka Gigauri, Choose Europe, and its director Khatuna Lagazidze, along with co-founders Sofiko Chkonia, Nikoloz Shurghaia, Giorgi Rukhadze, Shalva Dzebisashvili, and Giorgi Papelishvili, are actively involved in the pre-election campaign. Their efforts include both supporting specific political parties and urging restraint.
The monitoring revealed that Transparency International Georgia and Gigauri are directly involved in the “My Voice for the European Union” campaign, which aims to garner support for specific political parties. This involves mobilizing various material and non-material resources, organizing meetings with the public, forming dedicated groups on social media, and utilizing a specially created website and both local and international media platforms.
Additionally, Choose Europe, its director Khatuna Lagazidze and its board members are actively engaged in pre-election processes that either promote or discourage support for particular political parties. Their activities include utilizing human and technical resources, organizing presentations, conducting regional meetings, hosting concerts, and producing and distributing promotional video clips, all amounting to financial costs exceeding GEL 100,000. These resources are employed to shape public opinion ahead of the elections.
According to the Organic Law on Political Unions of Citizens and judicial precedent, a stated political goal is established not only by a person’s explicit desire to attain power but also through campaigning against other political entities, consequently influencing public opinion.
Following the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s decision, Transparency International Georgia, its executive director Eka Gigauri, Choose Europe and its director Khatuna Lagazidze, along with the co-founders, are required to submit comprehensive financial reports to the Bureau within five days.
These reports must detail all income and expenses related to their electoral activities and provide information on bank accounts used for these purposes.
The Bureau will continue to monitor all entities reportedly engaged in supporting specific political parties and will inform the public about the findings, concluded Rajden Kuprashvili.
