Transparency International Georgia continues to systematically collect information on possible violations of high-level corruption that have become known in recent years. Our goal is to create a periodically updated catalog of alleged cases of high-level corruption, which will allow us to monitor these violations and see the scale of high-level corruption (See the full list on the link).

As of May 30, 2026, 315 alleged cases of elite corruption have been registered, involving more than 257 current or former high-ranking officials of the Georgian Dream, including 40 government members, 48 ​​MPs, 20 judges and 81 municipal officials.

If you think that any case should be added to this list, please contact us using the contact information provided on the website (info@transparency.ge).

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2026

315. Unsubstantiated property of the head of the government administration

A journalistic investigation describes the alleged corruption of the head of the government administration, Levan Zhorzholiani. He did not declare many expensive branded clothes and accessories owned by his wife, as well as family travel expenses. Questions also arise regarding alleged nepotism, since after his appointment as the head of the government administration, Zhorzholiani's wife started working in 2 LEPLs at the same time.

Source: Studio Monitor – 18.05.2026

314. Alleged corruption case of issuing a construction permit in Tbilisi

A private company has been requesting a construction permit in the area surrounding the Academic City in Tbilisi, behind the Sports Palace, since 2014, but has been refused by the city hall. The situation changed after Lasha Kvachadze, a businessman close to Kakha Kaladze, became a shareholder of the company in December 2023, after which a construction permit was issued. Suspicions of corruption are strengthened by the fact that shortly before the construction permit was issued, Kvachadze's wife gave Kakha Kaladze's wife a 30% stake in one of his companies.

Source: TV Pirveli – 16.05.2026

313. Violation of citizens' property rights allegedly through influential patronage

A journalistic investigation shows how the clergy representing the Bodbe Monastery harassed the residents of the Kedeli settlement adjacent to the monastery, damaged their property, and forced them to make concessions, which has been happening for years without any response from the state or with its complicity. Both the journalist and the affected population express suspicion that the monastery representatives have political patron(s) and enjoy a guarantee of impunity from state agencies.

Source: Mtis Ambebi – 14.05.2026; 05.05.2020

312. Signs of corruption in the construction process of hydroelectric power plants in Racha

The journalistic investigation describes the signs of corruption surrounding the construction of 38 existing and planned hydroelectric power plants in the Oni and Ambrolauri municipalities. Most of them belong to former and current high-ranking officials (Gocha Enukidze – Georgian Dream MP; Sulkhan Papashvili – former head of the State Special Protection Service; Givi Gigineishvili – brother of Giorgi Gigineishvili, former director of the State Energy System; Nana Keinishvili – former Georgian Dream MP and member of the National Bank Board), and the rest belong to businessmen close to these individuals (Zaza Pachulia).

Source: Mountain News – 10.05.2026

311. Hidden travel expenses of Georgian Dream MPs

A study of the asset declarations of Georgian Dream MPs revealed that at least 8 of them have not declared travel expenses incurred in the last 2 years, which is a violation of anti-corruption legislation. These MPs are: Gela Samkharauli, Viktor Sanikidze, Irakli Mezurnishvili, Irakli Zarkua, Irakli Cheishvili, Lasha Talakhadze, Geno Petriashvili, Davit Kacharava.

Source: TV Pirveli – 09.05.2026

310. Kaladze’s friend MP’s family construction projects in Tbilisi

The company of Mariam Dolidze, the son of Georgian Dream MP Giorgi Barvenashvili, obtained a construction permit in the cultural heritage zone of Tbilisi (the territory of the former “Thermal Power Plant” (TEP)) under suspicious circumstances. Giorgi Barvenashvili is a close friend of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze. Barvenashvili's wife, Maia Maisadze, became a business partner of Kakha Kaladze's wife, Ana Areshidze, in June 2025, right after the construction permit was issued - both of them received a 30%-30% share of one of the companies free of charge.

Source: Studio Monitor - 08.05.2026

309. Viktor Japaridze's son's company won tenders worth more than 10.4 million GEL

The company "Expert House" LLC, co-owned by Giorgi Japaridze, son of Member of Parliament Viktor Japaridze, has received 10,446,411 GEL through state procurements since 2018. The owners of "Expert House" LLC are donors to the "Georgian Dream". The company's main activity is to supervise the construction of infrastructure facilities implemented through state procurement in various municipalities.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 06.05.2026

308. Possible case of adopting a tailored law

From January 1, 2026, an amendment to the Tax Code came into effect, according to which the excise tax on locally produced cigarettes was reduced. It turned out that only one company, JSC Tbilisi Tobacco, produces cigarettes on the Georgian market, which belongs to the family of Vano Chkhartishvili, a businessman close to the Georgian Dream and Bidzina Ivanishvili's business partner.

Source: Studio Monitor – 30.04.2026

307. “The sky is closed” over Abastumani – for the observatory or for Ivanishvili?

From April 16, 2026, air traffic has been restricted over a 52 km diameter over the resort of Abastumani. The residence of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the “Georgian Dream”, is located in Abastumani. A journalistic investigation expresses reasonable suspicion that the real reason for the closure of the sky over Abastumani is not the observatory located there, but rather Bidzina Ivanishvili’s personal desire. Three busy international air routes pass through the closed section of the sky; Georgia may lose substantial income from transit flights due to the closure of the routes.

Source: Radio Liberty – 15.04.2026

306. Alleged corruption of a former majoritarian deputy of the Supreme Council of Adjara

The former majoritarian deputy of the Supreme Council of Adjara, Khvicha Sharashidze, started a construction business with his business partners after taking office. In parallel with several large-scale construction projects in Batumi, these individuals donated 625,000 GEL to the Georgian Dream.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 06.04.2026

305. Corruption scheme of intermediary companies involved in the import of electric energy

A journalistic investigation describes a large-scale alleged corruption scheme related to the seasonal import of electricity into the country. According to the scheme, several years ago, for unknown reasons, intermediary private companies appeared in the process of importing electricity from Russia and Azerbaijan, which are connected to former officials and businessmen close to the Georgian Dream. The contracts signed by the state with the intermediary companies are hidden, which raises suspicions that the intermediary companies actually serve the purpose of artificially increasing the price of electricity.

Source: TV Pirveli – 04.04.2026

304. Conflict of interest and alleged corruption of a member of the Batumi City Council

After Giorgi Lomtatidze became a member of the Batumi City Council (from the Georgian Dream) in 2021, the company associated with his family, “Compass JK”, sharply increased the number of contracts received from state procurements (14 tenders worth 3,848,985 GEL in total). A conflict of interest is observed in 2 tenders received from LEPL “Batumi Boulevard” (value 420,878 GEL), whose tender commission included his wife.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 31.03.2026

303. Signs of Corruption in Kakheti – Cut Down Kudigori Mountain

A journalistic investigation describes 2 illegal constructions underway on Kudigori Mountain in Kvareli Municipality in Kakheti, one of which belongs to relatives of Georgian Dream MP Nino Tsilosani. Signs of corruption include decisions to remove territories from the forest fund, privatize them at lower than market prices, and issue construction permits, as well as the inaction of relevant agencies regarding the damage caused to the environment during construction.

Source: Mountain News – 26.03.2026

302. “Preferential Agrocredit” for millionaire businessmen

Within the framework of the “Preferential Agrocredit” state program, over the past 10 years, 178 million GEL has been financed by individuals related to the family of the founder of the “Georgian Dream”, Bidzina Ivanishvili, as well as MPs and businessmen who donated to the party, namely: Bidzina Ivanishvili’s brother Aleksandre Ivanishvili and Vakhtang Karichashvili, the business partner of his cousin Ucha Mamatsashvili; MPs of the “Georgian Dream” Zaal Dugladze, Gocha Enukidze and Vasil Chigogidze; businessmen who support or donate to the “Georgian Dream” Zurab Chkhaidze, Lasha Papashvili and Aleksandre Kharebava.

Source: Studio Monitor – 25.03.2026

301. Akhaltsikhe City Hall to Build Building in Recreational Zone for Georgian Dream Donors

In Akhaltsikhe, in a recreational zone, on the first strip of Akhaltsikhe Lake, the Akhaltsikhe Municipality City Hall has granted a permit to build an 11-story residential building to large (160,000 GEL) donors of the Dream. The city's main recreation area will become the yard of one of the buildings.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 17.03.2026

300. Fraudulent Call Centers and Georgian Dream

In recent years, a number of international and local journalistic investigations have confirmed the existence of a large-scale criminal network in Georgia, the so-called fraudulent call centers. Call centers extort hundreds of millions of dollars from citizens of Western countries by deceiving them. Despite the fact that in 2025 the Georgian Dream party admitted the existence of the problem, and that one of the party’s top officials, the head of the State Security Service, Grigol Liluashvili, was the patron of this organized crime, the set of facts presented in the article raises reasonable suspicion that the call center industry in Georgia is still operating today with the support of high-ranking officials of the Georgian Dream.

Source: Transparency International - Georgia – 09.03.2026

299. Racketeering with the participation of Otar Partskhaladze – metallurgical business

Businessman David Mirtskhulava accuses former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze of racketeering in his business (metallurgical plant). According to him, since 2022, he has received several threatening communications on behalf of Otar Partskhaladze regarding the concession of the company. After receiving the refusal, the financial police (which at that time was headed by Soso Ramishvili, a person close to Otar Partskhaladze) and other state agencies turned against the businessman and his entourage, which ended with his arrest. In prison, he received an offer to leave prison in exchange for giving up his business, this time in the name of Mikheil Chokheli, a person close to Otar Partskhaladze. The aforementioned racketeering case is under investigation.

Source: TV Pirveli – 07.03.2026

298. Beetle in khachapuri, worms in pate, obi in sausage – what is the penitentiary service hiding about the millions paid

The company “Ili Group”, which has received more than 250 million GEL from state procurements to provide food for prisons and other public institutions, systematically used poor-quality food. The company allegedly enjoyed informal immunity because it was protected by the State Security Service.

Source: Radio Liberty – 04.03.2026

297. Business flourishing with patronage in the government and state resources

The journalistic investigation talks about the Abramishvili brothers, a large donor (500,000 GEL) to the Georgian Dream, who, allegedly using their connections with high-ranking party officials (e.g. Vakhtang Gomelauri), have been able to set up businesses and accumulate property using state resources since 2014. Their companies received: direct or non-competitive state procurement contracts worth 87.6 million GEL, state property and construction permits from the Tbilisi City Hall, more than 420 thousand GEL from the Rural Development Agency for setting up businesses, and a permit to build a small hydroelectric power plant.

Source: Ai, Fakt / ifact – 25.02.2026

296. Is Lasha Talakhadze using the influence of an MP to build a business?

Lasha Talakhadze is engaged in entrepreneurial activities prohibited by law for a member of parliament. A journalistic investigation expresses suspicion that Talakhadze has only formally registered the concrete production company, Champion Concrete, with a third party. According to the investigation, Talakhadze himself signs documents related to the company and is actively involved in its activities. Lasha Talakhadze has also not been granted the right to manage a share in another company, which is an incompatibility of position.

Source: TV Pirveli – 21.02.2026

295. Racketeering with the participation of Otar Partskhaladze – Perfumery Business

Businessman Leri Pkhakadze (owner of 60% of the perfume company “Lutecia”) accuses former Prosecutor General Otar Pkhakadze of business racketeering. According to him, in 2023, a person associated with Partskhaladze attacked him at the entrance to his house, as a result of which he received serious injuries, although a criminal case was nevertheless initiated against him. A court dispute also began over the ownership of the company’s shares, as a result of which the court made an unfounded decision against Leri Pkhakadze. According to Pkhakadze, the judges were influenced by Mikheil Chokheli, a person close to Otar Partskhaladze. The businessman has been forced to flee the country.

Source: TV Pirveli – 21.02.2026

294. Alleged corruption involving former Kvemo Kartli Governor Giorgi Shinjikashvili

The journalistic investigation describes the alleged corruption schemes of former Kvemo Kartli Governor Giorgi Shinjikashvili, including nepotism in the Gardabani City Hall, conflict of interest, illegal construction, large amounts of property received from the state under dubious circumstances, and the concealment of this property through third parties (for example, Tornike Osiashvili).

Source: Formula – 14.02.2026; 18.04.2026

293. Alleged nepotism and corruption involving Judge Davit Makaradze

According to a journalistic investigation, Judge Davit Makaradze, who is sending citizens to prison for standing on the sidewalk, was allegedly appointed to the position through the influence of his mother-in-law, former judge Tamar Chaniashvili, who is close to the judicial “clan.” Tamar Chaniashvili’s two daughters, including Davit Makaradze’s wife, are employed in the judiciary and Tbilisi City Hall, raising questions about nepotism.

Source: TV Pirveli – 07.02.2026

292. Alleged nepotism case involving former head of the State Security Service Mamuka Mdinaradze

A journalistic investigation revealed that along with the advancement of the political career of former head of the State Security Service Mamuka Mdinaradze, members of the family of his former business partner and friend, Giorgi Gelashvili, were allegedly appointed to a number of positions through nepotism; these positions are: MP, senior official of the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance, employees of the State Security Service and the Government Chancellery, member of the 7th Tbilisi City Council and mayor of Ozurgeti. The Gelashvili family is also suspected of accumulating a large amount of property in a short period of time.

Source: Studio Monitor – 29.01.2026

291. Corruption of senior officials of the Tbilisi City Hall Gardens Agency

A journalistic investigation has revealed that senior officials of the Tbilisi Gardens Agency, Shalva Andghuladze (Head of the Monitoring Service) and Davit Kereselidze (Head of the Financial Service), have allegedly accumulated a large amount of property through corruption, which they have registered in the names of third parties (relatives). Journalists of “TV Pirveli” have found out that Andghuladze and Kereselidze are defendants in a corruption investigation initiated by the Prosecutor’s Office.

Source: TV Pirveli – 24.01.2026

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2025

290. Alleged corruption case involving a businessman from Adygea

Jaba Chkhitunidze, a resident of the village of Bolajuri in Adygea, who in 2012, together with his brother, headed the office of the Georgian Dream in his village (and they also opened an office in their own house), first received up to 29 hectares of arable land from the state in the form of direct privatization, then the state financed him with 497,961 GEL for the construction of a warehouse, up to 70,000 GEL for planting, and four preferential agro-credits in the amount of 103,551 GEL. Finally, the fruits and vegetables mentioned here have been purchased by the state for a total of 15,033,529 GEL in the last two and a half years for the supply of law enforcement agencies.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 29.12.2025

289. From civil servant to millionaire: Anatomy of Otar Danelia’s enrichment

A journalistic investigation reviews the history of the enrichment of former business ombudsman Otar Danelia and identifies several suspicious circumstances, such as: recording suspicious values ​​during the purchase and sale of real estate and business shares, the existence of undeclared property, the declaration of allegedly artificially low repair costs, a substantial gift received from a family member, etc., which may indicate corruption.

Source: Studio Monitor – 26.12.2025

288. Alleged cases of collusion in state procurement

A journalistic investigation describes a scheme of collusion in state procurement operating in several municipalities of Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli: two companies participate in a tender in agreement; one company submits an offer close to the starting price, while the other submits a much cheaper offer, which is why it wins. However, the second company intentionally makes a technical error in the tender documentation and is disqualified, as a result of which the first “expensive” company remains the winner. Ultimately, the winning company hires the disqualified company as a subcontractor and shares the state contract obtained at a high price with it.

Source: Here's the Fact / ifact – 14.12.2025

287. Corruption in Georgian Railways as Seen through the Eyes of a Foreign Investor

In an interview with the media outlet BMJ, Estonian investor Oleg Osinovski talks about the corruption in Georgian Railways. According to him: “Over the past four years, the level of corruption in Georgian Railways has probably been simply cosmic. This was not Georgia, this was Zimbabwe. Everything could be stolen. That is, the level of corruption in tenders was catastrophic. Prices were increasing several times. They were buying products that were not needed. They simply invented products to steal.” According to him, they have written to the Prosecutor General's Office several times about the corruption in Georgian Railways.

Source: Business Media Georgia (BMG) – 14.12.2025

286. Traces of Corruption: From Whom Did the National Drug Laboratory Buy Equipment Worth Millions of Lari?

A journalistic investigation has revealed signs of corruption in the process of purchasing equipment for the National Drug Laboratory, which opened in 2023. According to the investigation, equipment that was not suitable for the laboratory’s purposes (drug quality control) was purchased at a price much higher than the market price. Both companies, the local distributors of the equipment, are connected to former senior officials of the Georgian Dream (Irakli Gharibashvili, Juansher Burchuladze, Rati Bregadze) and directly participated in a similar corruption scheme to sell an artificially inflated MRI machine to the Ministry of Defense.

Source: Here’s the Fact / ifact – 13.12.2025; 04.03.2026

285. Case of alleged corrupt write-off of investment debt of Georgian Dream MP

A journalistic investigation has raised suspicions that Bidzina Ivanishvili's cousin Ucha Mamatsashvili allegedly helped Georgian Dream MP Ilia Injia's company System Net write off 3.5 million GEL of debt accumulated as a result of an unfulfilled privatization contract (construction of a 120-room hotel on 17 thousand sq m of land in Krtsanisi, Tbilisi and investment of 10 million GEL) (signed by Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili), after which Mamatsashvili bought 20 apartments in a hotel built by the company on the privatized land.

Source: Ai, Fakt / ifact – 12.12.2025

284. Retired mother of deputy police chief builds apartment buildings in Batumi and Kutaisi

The article discusses a possible corruption scheme in which Adjara police officer Mayzer Khvareshia allegedly used family members and opaque corporate reorganizations to hide his rapidly accumulated wealth and participation in large construction projects in Batumi and Kutaisi. According to the investigation, companies registered in the name of his retired mother purchased expensive land, received construction permits, and began developing residential complexes during the period when Khvareshia temporarily left the Ministry of Internal Affairs and later returned to a high-ranking position. The investigation raises questions about the sources of financing for the projects and possible undeclared assets and income.

Source: Batumelebi – 09.12.2025

283. The case of suspicious enrichment of a senior police officer

According to a journalistic investigation, the family of senior police officer Shalva Bareladze has accumulated a large amount of property over the past 3 years, which raises suspicions of corruption. During this period, a large number of expensive apartments, houses and cars have appeared in the ownership of his children without a loan.

Source: TV Pirveli – 29.11.2025

282. Alleged case of customized privatization of state property

The journalistic investigation describes how the auction for the privatization of the building of the Water Management Research Institute, previously on the balance sheet of the Technical University, was terminated in the summer of 2024, despite the fact that it was competitive and 136 bids were recorded, after which the son of former Georgian Dream MP Elguja Gotsiridze won the re-announced auction.

Source: TV Pirveli – 22.11.2025

281. Political corruption: Georgian Dream’s September 2025 donations

In September 2025, 124 individuals donated 4.1 million GEL to Georgian Dream. 35 companies linked to donors have won tenders worth more than 2.5 billion GEL over the past 10 years.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 12.11.2025

280. Alleged corruption of Akhaltsikhe City Council members

Since December 2021, Akhaltsikhe City Council members, their family members and relatives have received a total of 24,811,129 GEL from Akhaltsikhe City Hall and its legal entities alone.

Source: Transparency International - Georgia – 28.10.2025

279. 5 floors were illegally built in the center of Batumi – the City Hall is silent

In Batumi, in the city center, exactly one block from the Batumi City Hall, the construction company LLC “El Qselma” illegally built another 5 floors on an 8-story building. The construction permit has been issued for 8 floors. However, the building already has 13 floors. None of the responsible agencies – neither the Batumi City Hall nor the Batumi City Hall Municipal Inspection – answer the question of how the company managed to illegally build 5 floors in the city center.

Source: Batumelebi – 10.10.2025

278. Alleged corruption of the Chairman of the Poti City Council

The Chairman of the Poti City Council, Aleksandre Tkebuchava, spent 17,037 liters (17 tons) of fuel worth 48,007 GEL from December 2021 to May 2025. This amount of fuel is enough for an average car to travel 212,500 kilometers, which is equivalent to circling the Earth five times. According to an investigation published by the “Waste Detector” in May 2023, Aleksandre Tkebuchava’s father-in-law, Zurab Meskhi, received GEL 1,568,800 in purchases from the local budget after his son-in-law was elected first as the Executive Secretary of the Poti organization of the “Georgian Dream” and later as the Chairman of the City Council.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 10.10.2025; Waste Detector – 12.05.2023

277. Political Corruption: “Georgian Dream” Donations in July-August 2025

In July-August 2025, “Georgian Dream” received donations in the amount of GEL 3.6 million. Companies linked to donors have received state contracts worth 274 million GEL since 2024, and 1 billion GEL since 2016.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 03.10.2025

276. Former judge speaks of death threats from ruling party

Former Supreme Court judge Besarion Alavidze says he was threatened with “brainwashing” if he did not make a decision in the Rustavi 2 case that Bidzina Ivanishvili and the Georgian Dream government wanted. He was saying this in 2022 as well: Former Supreme Court judge Besarion Alavidze spoke about the facts of pressure on judges in an interview with the Main Channel. According to Alavidze, in a number of cases the High Council of Justice required judges to agree on decisions in specific cases. Besarion Alavidze’s statement was confirmed by Soso Gogashvili, a former high-ranking official of the State Security Service, currently in prison. Gogashvili stated that the SSU, at the request of the Chairman of the Court of Appeal and one of the leaders of the so-called clan, Mikheil Chinchaladze, put pressure on Alavidze to make the desired decision in the Rustavi 2 TV case.

Source: 2022 interview with Besarion Alavidze – 03.10.2025; TV Pirveli – 02.10.2025; Formula – 28.05.2024; Soso Gogashvili’s statement – ​​20.09.2022; “Transparency International - Georgia” – 22.09.2022

275. Alleged corruption of the Minister of Culture

According to a journalistic investigation, the company “Tikhart”, associated with the Minister of Culture Tinatin Rukhadze, in which Tinatin Rukhadze was employed as a consultant for a large salary before her appointment as minister, received state contracts worth more than 1 million GEL through a direct procurement procedure for organizing concerts in September 2025 alone.

Source: TV Pirveli – 27.09.2025

274. Illegal construction of a Georgian Dream MP in Batumi

According to a journalistic investigation, Georgian Dream MP Giorgi Chkonia has been illegally building two floors on top of the existing building directly opposite the City Hall in Batumi since 2023. Despite the fact that the Batumi Municipal Inspection recognized the construction as illegal and fined the MP’s company, LLC “House in Old Batumi”, Giorgi Chkonia continued the construction and suspended the inspection’s decision through the court.

Source: Batumelebi – 17.09.2025

273. Alleged corruption schemes at Georgian Railways

A former employee of Georgian Railways has exposed massive corruption at the railway. According to him: Under the guise of priceless equipment, the Supervisory Board of Krinigs wrote off equipment worth 18 million GEL, including suitable rails; Almost 5 million GEL was paid to repair the cabin of a damaged Stadler train, while the real cost of its repair did not exceed 200,000 GEL; 62 million dollars were spent on the purchase of low-quality rails; 15 million GEL was allocated for construction in Poti, which was not actually built. He filed a corresponding statement with the State Anti-Corruption Commission.

Source: Formula – 15.09.2025

272. Winners of non-competitive auctions in Adjara donated more than a million GEL to the Georgian Dream

In 2022-2024, 40 auctions were held to privatize property in Adjara, of which 28 auctions were held non-competitively and only one bidder participated in them. The shareholders and directors of the 8 companies that won the auctions are major donors to the Georgian Dream – at various times they donated a total of 1,050,000 GEL to the ruling party. The donors purchased property worth 15,023,700 GEL at non-competitive electronic auctions.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 12.09.2025

271. Alleged scheme to hide illegal income using gifts

In 2024-2025, officials declared gifts worth 34 million GEL from family members. Since the law does not impose any restrictions or controls on gifts received by officials from family members, it is easy for an unscrupulous official to disguise illegal income as a gift received from a family member. An analysis of asset declarations has revealed many such alleged cases in the last 2 years.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 11.09.2025; 09.10.2025

270. Alleged corruption of the Deputy Head of the Veterans Service

According to a journalistic investigation, the Deputy Head of the Veterans Service, Nikoloz Kvezereli, has an incompatibility with his position – he directly and repeatedly violates the restrictions imposed on civil servants regarding participation in entrepreneurial activities. In particular, Nikoloz Kvezereli, contrary to the requirements of the law, did not grant him the right to manage shares in 12 companies.

Source: Batumelebi – 22.08.2025

269. Bidzina Ivanishvili’s brother allegedly obtained a construction permit through corruption

In 2022, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s brother Aleksandre Ivanishvili, under dubious circumstances (submitting a fictitious influence peddling report), allegedly as a result of using his influence, was able to obtain permission from the Tbilisi City Hall to first demolish a kindergarten on Kazbegi Avenue and then to build a 10-story building. After that, he soon sold the company with the construction permit for $2.7 million. The construction significantly damaged the adjacent 15-story building.

Source: Here's the Fact / ifact – 02.08.2025

268. Georgian Dream Donor Company Won Tenders Worth Over ₾96 Million and Did Not Complete Works

According to the investigation, Gzebi LLC, whose owners donated a total of 110,000 GEL to the Georgian Dream, won tenders worth over 96 million GEL. The company completed large tenders with a delay of 1-2 years or did not complete the works at all, which raises questions about corruption.

Source: Waste Detector – 01.08.2025

267. Political Corruption in Georgian Dream Donations

The study describes a large-scale political corruption scheme related to party donations. In the first half of 2020, the Georgian Dream party received 6.6 million GEL in donations. Eleven companies linked to donors to the ruling party have won state tenders worth 143.6 million GEL since 2024, and since 2016 they have won tenders worth 422 million. Since 2024, 13 companies linked to donors have received more than 27 million GEL in agricultural subsidies. In total, these companies have received more than 71 million GEL in subsidies.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 31.07.2025

266. Senaki Mayor Gave Over 7 Million Lari in State Procurement to His Friend and Business Partner’s Father

The largest purchaser for Senaki City Hall is Apo LLC, owned by Amiran Apakidze, the father of the former business partner and friend of Senaki Mayor Vakhtang Gadelia, Giorgi Apakidze. During Vakhtang Gadelia’s mayoralty alone, from 2021 to the present, Apo LLC has received 20 tenders worth 5,293,214 Lari and 14 simplified procurements worth 1,821,626 Lari from Senaki City Hall.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 29.07.2025

265. Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Deidashvili’s Business Partner Received 56 Million GEL from the State Budget

In 2014-2024, the companies of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Deidashvili, Ucha Mamatsashvili’s business partner, Vakhtang Karichashvili, received 56 million GEL from state-funded agricultural programs, 25 million GEL in 2024 alone, which was 13% of the total budget of this year’s agricultural programs. At the same time, Karichashvili’s companies and company directors donated 783 thousand GEL to the Georgian Dream.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 24.07.2025

264. Party asset employment scheme at budget expense

The study describes how the employment program for socially vulnerable citizens launched in 2022, which costs 100 million GEL per year, is being used to create fictitious jobs. The program was developed as an informal employment system so that the right-wing party could pay salaries at the expense of the budget in exchange for political support.

Source: Fraud Detector – 22.07.2025

263. Armenian trucks are being asked for $1,500 for a permit to cross the Georgian border

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices in Armenia have increased by up to 50% as Armenian trucks transporting liquefied gas are being prevented from entering Georgia from Russia. Although Georgia denies that trucks are being blocked, truck drivers say they are being pressured to pay bribes of up to $1,500 to obtain permission to enter the country.

Source: OC Media – 18.07.2025

262. Hydropower fever – signs of corruption in permits for the construction of small and medium-sized hydropower plants

The Georgian Dream party has recently issued permits for the construction of about 200 small and medium-sized hydropower plants, most of which were granted to party members and officials or companies affiliated with them: 1. Gocha Enukidze – Georgian Dream MP; 2. Davit Songulashvili – Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. Davit Songhulashvili, as a minister, is personally responsible for issuing the licenses that his brother and father receive, and he himself is the controller so that the hydroelectric power plants do not harm the environment. This contains signs of conflict of interest and corruption; 3. Aleksandre Chikaidze – former Minister of Internal Affairs; 4. Viktor Japaridze – MP of the Georgian Dream; 5. Kakha Sabanadze – former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs; 6. Aleksandre Khojevanishvili – former Deputy Head of the State Security Service; 7. Bichiko Paikidze – member of the Vani Sakrebulo and godfather of the former Head of the State Security Service Grigol Liluashvili.

Source: Mountain News – 11.07.2025; 10.05.2026

261. Undeclared property of Judge Nino Galustashvili’s family

A journalistic investigation has revealed that Tbilisi City Court Judge Nino Galustashvili violated the property declaration rules. Her property declaration is largely blank, while she lives with her mother and brother. According to the law, she should have declared complete information about the family members she lives with.

Source: TV Pirveli – 05.07.2025

260. Cases of alleged nepotism involving the spouses of senior officials of the Tbilisi City Hall and Sakrebulo

The journalistic investigation describes several examples of how the spouses of senior officials of the Tbilisi City Hall and Sakrebulo are allegedly employed in the public service through nepotism: 1. The wife of Zurab Abashidze, Deputy Chairman of the Tbilisi City Hall – State Insurance Supervision Service; 2. The wife of Giorgi Akhvlediani, Deputy Chairman of the Tbilisi City Hall – Tbilisi Transport Company; 3. The wife of Shalva Ogbaidze, a member of the City Hall – Georgian Sports Museum; 4. The wife of Besik Kaladze, the Governor of Gldani District – National Center for Education Quality Development.

Source: TV Pirveli – 05.07.2025

259. Illegal construction and undeclared property of Sulkhan Tamazashvili sanctioned

The Chairman of the Government of Adjara, Sulkhan Tamazashvili, and his family members illegally occupied 2,887 sq.m. of unregistered land adjacent to registered land plots in the village of Kveda Sameba, Kobuleti Municipality, and illegally built a residential house on it.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 04.07.2025

258. Businessman exposes the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in corruption

Businessman Dimitri Kontkhonjia exposes the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance and a high-ranking official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in demanding a bribe. According to the businessman, a representative of the investigative body and a high-ranking MIA official, whose name he does not name, asked him for $ 400,000 to cover up an old investigation against him.

Source: TV Pirveli – 28.06.2025

257. Alleged corruption of the deputy chairman of the Khashuri Sakrebulo

According to a journalistic investigation, the deputy chairman of the Khashuri Sakrebulo, Levan Gamrekeli, has an incompatibility with his position – he is engaged in entrepreneurial activities prohibited for an official. In particular, Gamrekeli, contrary to the requirements of the law, did not cede the right to manage shares in 3 companies, from which, according to the property declaration, he received 3,480,000 GEL in 2024. Levan Gamrekeli purchased 14 plots of land, 5 houses and 15 cars in 2022-2024.

Source: Mozaika – 23.06.2025

256. Alleged corruption of Minister of Culture Tinatin Rukhadze

Before being appointed Minister of Culture in 2023, Tika Rukhadze received 260,000 GEL as a consultant from her friend’s company. This company has received direct contracts worth more than 2 million GEL in recent years, mainly from the Tbilisi City Hall, for organizing cultural events. The journalistic investigation suspects that Tika Rukhadze may have obtained direct contracts through corruption from her friend’s company, which then transferred a significant part of the received amount to her as a consultant’s remuneration.

Source: TV Pirveli – 21.06.2025

255. Bidzina Ivanishvili did not declare his assets

The founder of the Georgian Dream, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, had to fill out an asset declaration at the end of 2024. This obligation arose due to his short-term formal stay as a member of parliament after the elections. The Georgian Dream party confirmed that Ivanishvili did not fill out an asset declaration. By doing so, he clearly violated the law on combating corruption.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 20.06.2025

254. Hidden assets of former head of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Zviad Kharazishvili, aka “Khareba”

According to a journalistic investigation, the former head of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Zviad Kharazishvili has a large amount of real estate, 2 expensive private residential houses and many hectares of agricultural land registered in the names of his parents and other relatives.

Source: Formula – 14.06.2025

253. Alleged corruption related to the construction permit of Georgian Dream MP Irakli Zarkua

Lia Lomsadze, the sister-in-law of Georgian Dream MP Irakli Zarkua, obtained a dubious construction permit on land owned by her in Tbilisi (which should not have been issued in that zone) when Irakli Zarkua held a high position in the Tbilisi City Hall. Lia Lomsadze then sold the land with the permit for a profit to a company owned by Nukri Lipartashvili, a relative of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songhulashvili.

Source: TV Pirveli – 07.06.2025

252. Alleged nepotism in the state-owned company “Sakrusenergo”

The journalistic investigation describes several examples of how relatives of high-ranking officials of the “Georgian Dream” are, or were until recently, fictitiously employed in the state-owned company “Sakrusenergo”: 1. Lekso Tamazashvili – former MP of the “Georgian Dream” and brother-in-law of former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili; 2. Ramaz Koranashvili – uncle of Irakli Gharibashvili; 3. Giorgi Shotadze – brother of former Prosecutor General Irakli Shotadze; 4. Nugzar Chikovani – father of Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani. Several more people are mentioned in the story.

Source: TV Pirveli – 07.06.2025

251. Unsubstantiated assets of former Tbilisi City Hall official Viktor Tsilosani

A journalistic investigation describes how Viktor Tsilosani, the former head of the Tbilisi City Hall’s Transport and Urban Development Service, allegedly hides expensive assets using his 22-year-old son. The case concerns three plots of land purchased for $500,000 near Lake Lisi in Tbilisi, one of which has already been used to build an expensive residential building. Viktor Tsilosani’s son confirms that his father made decisions regarding the assets. A conflict of interest is also apparent, as the Urban Service was responsible for issuing the necessary permits for development near Lake Lisi. Shares in several companies are registered in his son’s name, including a 50% share in one of them (LTD Tseti) he received free of charge.

Source: TV Pirveli – 31.05.2025

250. Fictitious jobs for former Dream MPs

The journalistic investigation describes several examples of how former Georgian Dream MPs are allegedly fictitiously employed in high-paying positions in various state-owned companies: 1. Luka Kurtanidze – Gas and Oil Corporation, as well as his son in the State Electrosystem and son-in-law in Sakrusenergo; 2. Zurab Zviadauri – Gas and Oil Corporation; 3. Zakaria Kutsnashvili – Gardabani Thermal Power Plant.

Source: TV Pirveli – 31.05.2025

249. Hidden, undocumented property of the former head of the State Security Service and the former Prosecutor General

A journalistic investigation shows the undocumented real estate of the former head of the State Security Service, Grigol Liluashvili, and the former Prosecutor General, Giorgi Gabitashvili, in a residential building located in Mziuri Park in Tbilisi, which belongs to the company of the brother of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Davit Songhulashvili. Grigol Liluashvili lives in a 300 sq m apartment in this building, and Giorgi Gabitashvili lives in a 200 sq m apartment in the same building. Both apartments officially belong to the company of Davit Songhulashvili’s brother. Neither Liluashvili nor Gabitashvili included the apartments in the official’s property declaration. It is likely that we are dealing with a scheme to hide expensive property.

Source: TV Pirveli – 24.05.2025

248. Alleged corruption scheme to artificially increase transportation tariffs in “Georgian Railways”

In an interview with TV Pirveli’s program “Reaction”, Levan Khabeishvili, leader of the political party “United National Movement”, speaks about an alleged large-scale corruption scheme in “Georgian Railways”, how the cost of railway transportation is artificially increased using intermediaries (Vazha Kharabadze), resulting in the misappropriation of several hundred million lari obtained through corruption.

Source: TV Pirveli – 20.05.2025

247. Senaki Mayor Won Tenders Worth Over 38 Million GEL to His Uncle and Cousin’s Companies

After Vakhtang Gadelia was elected mayor of Senaki, the company of Demur Gadelia, the uncle of Senaki Mayor Vakhtang Gadelia, – JSC “Archeopolis” – won 17 tenders worth 32,248,784 GEL from Senaki City Hall. In 14 of these tenders, the company had no competitors at all, and in 3 cases its only competitor was LLC “Indiko”, owned by the mayor’s cousin, Ioseb Gadelia. After Gadelia was elected mayor, LLC “Indiko” won 3 tenders worth 5,845,170 GEL. Vakhtang Gadelia himself was a member of the Supervisory Board of JSC “Archeopolis” in the past, and his deputy, Nana Zarandia, held the position of director of this company.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 19.05.2025; 04.04.2023; 13.05.2022; Here’s the Fact / iFact – 09.12.2025

246. Fictitious employment at Tbilisi City Hall

A journalistic investigation describes how several singers and actors supporting the “Georgian Dream” (Tako Gachechiladze, Temur Tatarashvili, Tamar Abzianidze, Zuka Khutsishvili, Anri Bibineishvili, Kote Mzhavia) are allegedly fictitiously employed at the new multifunctional public center in Tbilisi opened in Didi Digomi. 150,000 GEL is spent annually on their salaries.

Source: TV Pirveli – 17.05.2025

245. Misappropriated property of the Writers' Union

A journalistic investigation describes how Makvala Gonashvili, the chairman of the Writers' Union, has embezzled and misappropriated a significant amount of real and movable property over the years.

Source: TV Pirveli – 10.05.2025

244. 15 people connected to Adigeni City Hall received more than 2 million GEL from Adigeni Municipality procurements

Family members and relatives of about ten employees of the Adigeni self-government received 2,189,863 GEL from Adigeni Municipality state procurements in 2017-2025, of which 1,713,942 GEL (78.2%) was accrued through direct procurements and uncompetitively won tenders. There are cases when a brother takes over the work performed by his brother without indicating a conflict of interest.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 05.05.2025

243. Hidden, unsubstantiated assets of the Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi

According to a journalistic investigation, Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi Irakli Khmaladze allegedly secretly owns a mansion worth 1.2 million GEL in Bethania, which is formally registered in the name of former senior official of the Tbilisi City Hall, Tamar Melikishvili.

Source: “TV Pirveli” – 03.05.2025

242. Alleged corruption of a relative of “Georgian Dream” MP Nino Tsilosani

A relative of MP Nino Tsilosani, Omar Khatiashvili, purchased up to 30,000 square meters of land on Mount Kudigori in Kakheti at a state auction in 2018 for a symbolic price of 5 GEL per square meter. Khatiashvili’s company did not fulfill the investment obligations imposed on it, which the government forgave and extended in 2023. The journalistic investigation expresses doubts that the property in question actually belongs to Nino Tsilosan, since public sources do not indicate where Omar Khatiashvili could have obtained the funds necessary to purchase the property and invest in it.

Source: “TV Pirveli” – 03.05.2025

241. A construction permit was issued in Tbilisi only after a relative of Ivanishvili became a shareholder in the company

According to a journalistic investigation, a construction permit for a multi-storey building on Aleksidze Street #9 in Tbilisi was issued after Tamaz Kharaidze, the brother of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s brother, Aleksandre Ivanishvili’s wife, became a shareholder in the company. He was given a 5% share in the company. Previously, the City Hall had refused to issue construction permits in the same area for many years (since 2010).

Source: TV Pirveli – 26.04.2025

240. A company belonging to a person close to Viktor Japaridze won tenders worth up to 17 million GEL in Mestia

The company of a person close to Viktor Japaridze’s family, David Chartolani – LLC “Qoruldi” – received tenders worth 16,856,815 GEL from the Mestia City Hall in 2021-2024 without competition, through the disqualification of competitors, which raises reasonable suspicion that the Mestia City Hall and the company are colluding with each other in advance. David Chartolani headed the “Georgian Dream” election headquarters in Bolnisi in 2012.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 24.04.2025

239. Georgian Dream MP Giorgi Chkonia won tenders worth 37 million GEL after the elections

The company “Gza” of Georgian Dream MP Giorgi Chkonia received 37,095,628 GEL from 5 state procurements after the parliamentary elections of October 26, 2024. In total, Giorgi Chkonia’s companies received up to 392 million GEL from state procurements in 2011-2025. Chkonia has donated 400,000 GEL to the Georgian Dream since 2016, and his business partners and company directors have donated more than 1,000,000 GEL.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 16.04.2025

238. The so-called “Skinny Milk” Scandal – A Biased Court Decision Due to Criticism of the Government

Lasha Papashvili, a businessman close to the Georgian Dream, won a large court case worth 4.7 million GEL under dubious circumstances against businessman Revaz Vashakidze, who openly criticized the violent dispersal of pro-European rallies 2 weeks before the court decision. The court rejected the same case against Papashvili several years ago. This time, the judge made a decision in the shortest possible time, within 7 days. After studying the case materials, a journalistic investigation concluded that the judge’s decision was unfounded and that the judge was biased towards Lasha Papashvili’s company.

Source: “Radio Liberty” – 31.03.2025

237. Sairme feudal lord Temur Kokhodze

A journalistic investigation describes how millionaire businessman Temur Kokhodze seizes land from local residents of Sairme using government connections. In particular, he uses the prosecutor's office, the forestry agency and the municipality to have local residents' land registrations canceled and they are declared fraudsters.

Source: “Mountain News” – 31.03.2025

236. Unsubstantiated assets and hidden businesses of the head of the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

According to the investigation, Giorgi Iosebidze, the head of the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, managed to accumulate significant assets after 2014, a large part of which he registered in the names of his retired parents. According to the property declaration, Iosebidze's income is only a salary, which would not have been enough to purchase this property. In addition, a security company is also registered in the name of his retired father, which, according to the investigation, also belongs to Giorgi Iosebidze.

Source: TV Pirveli – 08.03.2025

235. Unsubstantiated assets of Georgian Dream’s Foreign Minister

According to the investigation, Georgian Dream’s Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili has been spending large sums of money in recent years to purchase expensive designer clothes and real estate, which she should not be able to afford with her official civil servant income.

Source: TV Pirveli – 22.02.2025

234. Alleged corruption of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s cousin, Ucha Mamatsashvili

Bidzina Ivanishvili’s cousin, Ucha Mamatsashvili, obtained a permit to build a luxurious residence in Tskneti in a very short time, which raised suspicions of corruption. Her brother purchased a large portion of the land from the Tbilisi Municipality for a price much lower than the market value and then gave it to Ucha free of charge. The family then combined several plots, some of which had previously been denied zoning changes, and construction restrictions were quickly lifted.

Source: Forbes Georgia – 19.02.2025

233. Former judge speaks of threats and pressure during the “cable case” hearing

Former judge David Jugheli said that during the so-called “cable case” hearing, he was pressured to make a decision favorable to the “Georgian Dream”. “There were threats, requests, attempts to bribe, intimidation, even an attempt to kidnap a child.” According to Jugheli, the pressure came from the former Chief Prosecutor, Otar Partskhaladze, and the head of the Supreme Court.

Source: TV Pirveli – 13.02.2025

232. Alleged corruption of a businessman connected to the ruling party

According to a journalistic investigation, businessman Noshrevan Namoradze, who is closely connected to the leaders of the Georgian Dream, is using these relationships to obtain special privileges for the benefit of one of his large-scale construction projects in Tbilisi. More specifically, Namoradze was relieved of his previous obligation to build a new building for the historic Sports University; instead of the university, he was granted permission to build a multi-story building.

Source: TV Pirveli – 01.02.2025

231. Unsubstantiated property of the Adjara Police Chief

The Adjara Police Chief, Grigol Beselia, who has been exposed for using excessive force against peaceful protesters and journalists, is allegedly the owner of unsubstantiated property. According to the investigation, while Grigol Beselia does not have any real estate in his name and indicates a modest income in his property declaration, he manages to finance the construction of an expensive two-story house from an unknown source, which is registered in the name of his retired father.

Source: TV Pirveli – 25.01.2025

230. The hidden business of the Batumi Police Chief

According to the investigation, Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze, who has been exposed for using excessive force against peaceful protesters and journalists, is allegedly violating the restrictions imposed on public officials regarding entrepreneurship. Specifically, according to the investigation, Dgebuadze owns two nightclubs in Batumi, which are registered in the name of his girlfriend.

Source: TV Pirveli – 18.01.2025

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2024

229. Alleged nepotism of the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs

According to the investigation, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze allegedly abused his position to appoint family members, including his wife, brother, cousin, aunt, uncle and father, to public service, both in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and in other state agencies, without a competition.

Source: TV Pirveli – 21.12.2024

228. Election fraud: whistleblower describes the “Carousel” scheme

In an interview given to the television at the end of November 2024, citizen Gocha Chalauri described in detail how he participated in a well-organized mass scheme that involved multiple voting during the 2024 parliamentary elections. According to him, 120-130 cars consisting of 4 people were moving in the villages of Gori municipality. These people were voting using other people's ID numbers. According to Gocha Chalauri, he himself voted 30 times.

Source: Main – 24.11.2024

227. Lentekhi Mayor Issued a Hotel Construction Permit to His Wife's Company

Lentekhi Municipality Mayor Gia Oniani has been embroiled in a conflict of interest scandal. Despite the fact that in 2021 he legally transferred a 67% stake in his company to his wife, the investigation showed that Oniani is still actively involved in the management of the company, which is a violation of the law. He personally issued a permit to build a three-story, 18-room hotel to his wife's company.

Source: OCCRP – 22.11.2024; Here is the fact / ifact – 22.11.2024

226. 29 HPPs to Person Connected to Bidzina Ivanishvili

The investigation has found that businessman Koka Kokolashvili, who is related to Bidzina Ivanishvili (he is the brother of Ivanishvili’s cousin, Ucha Mamatsashvili’s wife), received exclusive permits to build 29 HPPs across the country. Kokolashvili, who was previously the financial director of the state-owned Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation, received two companies as gifts, which received the permits within a few months. The government is committed to purchasing the electricity produced by some of these facilities at a set price for 15 years after they are put into operation.

Source: OCCRP – 16.11.2024; Studio Monitor – 16.11.2024

225. Election Fraud: “Call Centers” for Illegal Voter Mobilization

The investigation revealed that the Georgian Dream party set up approximately 3,000 “call centers” in Georgia during the 2024 parliamentary elections. Each center, located near polling stations, consisted of approximately four people, including operators and a “captain.” The purpose of these centers was to mobilize voters in support of the Georgian Dream party through direct contact with them. The investigation presented evidence, including leaked files, audio recordings, and software data, indicating the illegal collection and processing of voters’ personal data, allegedly with the assistance of state agencies.

Source: TV Pirveli – 11.11.2024

224. Secret network of “Georgian Dream” call centers for election manipulation revealed

According to the investigation, during the October 26 elections, the ruling party created a network of secret communication centers to control and manage voter activity. In Tbilisi, in the Chugureti district, 50 such centers operated, each under the supervision of a “captain”, where operators were engaged in processing telephone and computer data. These centers were provided with real-time information about voters, including names and personal identification numbers, which were then entered into a central database. The operation raises serious concerns about the violation of voter confidentiality and possible election manipulation by the ruling party.

Source: Studio Monitor – 08.11.2024

223. Election fraud: “Carousel”, voter bribery and intimidation

A journalistic investigation has revealed several election fraud schemes. The investigation focuses on the so-called “carousel”, when individuals voted multiple times at different polling stations. It concerns voter bribery and pressure on voters. Specific cases were identified where voters were offered material benefits in exchange for votes, and there were also facts when individuals were forced to support the ruling party.

Source: TV Pirveli – 06.11.2024; 06.11.2024

222. Election Fraud: Major Scheme of Large-Scale Election Fraud Identified

The observation mission “Chemi Khma” for the 2024 parliamentary elections was able to uncover a massive, coordinated scheme of election fraud. The preparation stage of the scheme included changing the procedure for selecting registrars at polling stations, collecting voters’ personal data, and confiscating their ID cards. On election day, those involved in the fraud used other people’s personal numbers or copies of their ID cards to cast multiple votes. They were assisted by registrars who quickly processed their data and did not mark them properly.

Source: Transparency International Georgia, My Voice – 28.10.2024

221. Relative of Irakli Gharibashvili accused of taking away business

According to the investigation, several individuals involved in the wheat growing business in Dedoplistskaro municipality accuse Zurab Gonashvili, a relative of former Prime Minister and current chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Gharibashvili, of pressure, violence, and taking away business.

Source: Radio Liberty – 10.10.2024

220. Alleged case of business racketeering – Elmavalmshenebli factory

Businessman Irakli Chitanava, the former owner of the Elmavalmshenebli factory, claims that for 3 years he and other representatives of the factory were under coordinated pressure from the state to cede the factory. According to him, the decision to seize the factory came from Bidzina Ivanishvili. By his own decision, the factory ended up in the hands of Georgian Dream MP Elguja Gotsiri. Chitanava also speaks about the possible use of the factory to circumvent Western sanctions imposed against Russia. The businessman is currently in exile.

Source: TV Pirveli – 08.10.2024

219. Over 2 million GEL to the ruling party in 9 months and the benefits received in return

“Transparency International - Georgia” determined that companies affiliated with businessmen financing the ruling party in Adjara received more than 556,090,031 GEL from state procurements and construction permits for more than 3,000,000 sq. m. of land in 2012-2024. For example, the companies of businessman Giorgi Chkonia, a delegate of the Georgian Dream, have received more than 457 million GEL in state procurements in the last 12 years, including up to 300 million GEL under non-competitive, disqualification of competitors and simplified procurements. In total, the ruling party received more than 1.5 million GEL in donations from Chkonia and individuals associated with him.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 03.10.2024

218. Alleged corruption in the Ministry of Health

Investigative journalists obtained electronic correspondence between high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Health, according to which some patients with serious diagnoses received state funding after the mediation of influential individuals (including ministers, members of parliament, as well as clergy). For example, in 2019, Deputy Minister of Health Giorgi Tsotskolauri received 2 files from the head of the referral organization department, Khatuna Chachava, to his work email, one of which was titled “Requests,” and which he then sent to the then-Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze. High-ranking officials of the Ministry do not confirm the authenticity of these correspondences.

Source: TV Pirveli – 28.09.2024

217. Prime Minister’s 1.2 million-dollar car serves

A journalistic investigation reveals that Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is being transported in a car worth 400,000 euros (approx. 1.2 million GEL). The information was confirmed by the head of the State Special Protection Service, Anzor Chubinidze. According to Chubinidze, the car serves high-ranking foreign guests and, if necessary, the Prime Minister.

Source: TV Pirveli – 28.09.2024

216. Financial support from the ruling party in exchange for construction permits

In Batumi, the Georgian Dream received 965,000 thousand GEL in donations from brothers Zebur and Zurab Dumbadze, who are involved in the construction business, and their business partners, in 2020-2024, including 230,000 GEL in 2024 alone. Companies associated with the brothers have received 6 construction permits in recent years, which provides for the construction of a total of 75,456 square meters in Batumi.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 26.09.2024

215. How do large winemakers who are donors to the Georgian Dream manage budget money?

According to a study by Transparency International Georgia, the main players in the Georgian wine market are individuals affiliated with the ruling party, and specifically Bidzina Ivanishvili. On the one hand, these companies receive tens of millions of GEL in subsidies from the state budget, and in return, their owners are major donors to the ruling party. For example, in 2017-2023, wine-producing companies received GEL 169 million in funding from state agricultural projects, of which GEL 74 million was distributed to companies whose owners and/or managers donated a total of GEL 6.1 million to the Georgian Dream. In addition, two companies owned by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s brother, Aleksandre Ivanishvili, and MP Zaal Dugladze received GEL 11.5 million in subsidies from the state.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 17.09.2024

214. Tenders won by MP Irakli Zarkua’s son-in-law

A journalistic investigation reveals that Aleksandre Amisulashvili, son-in-law of Georgian Dream MP Irakli Zarkua, won several million-dollar tenders for the construction and rehabilitation of kindergartens, although the work was not completed within the established deadlines. According to the story, after transferring part of the tender amount, Amisulashvili and his partners gave the company away.

Source: TV Pirveli – 14.09.2024

213. Alleged nepotism and corruption in Kutaisi Municipality

A journalistic investigation reveals alleged cases of nepotism and corruption in the Kutaisi City Council. Levan Sanikidze, a former member of the city council and current deputy governor of Imereti, is connected to the company “Dina”, owned by his wife and mother-in-law; the company won state contracts worth about 23 million GEL in the three years after Sanikidze was appointed to the position. Another case concerns Amiran Kopaleishvili, a member of the Kutaisi city council: after he became a member of the city council in 2017, his father’s company received state contracts worth 30 million GEL. In addition, Paata (Tato) Liluashvili, a relative of the head of the State Security Service, Grigol Liluashvili, was appointed deputy chairman of the Kutaisi city council.

Source: Studio Monitor – 07.09.2024

212. A donor to the ruling party is illegally using Batumi municipal property

A businessman, Aleksandre Baghaturia, who donated 253,000 GEL to the “Georgian Dream”, is illegally using Batumi municipal property. On September 1, 2021, the Batumi City Hall transferred to Baghaturia the company “Akhali Bulvari LLC” a plot of 8,339 sq m of land and a racetrack located on it for a period of 2 years, free of charge, with the right to use it under the usufruct rule. The company established a karting club on this territory and has been illegally continuing its commercial activities since September 1, 2023.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 06.09.2024

211. State contracts to a family member of a municipal official

The son of Jemal Gogoladze, the acting director of the municipal state company Borjomi Development LLC, received state contracts worth 800,568 GEL from the Borjomi City Hall and its legal entities in 2019-2024. Zurab Gogoladze received 100% of the amount through uncompetitively won tenders and direct purchases.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 04.09.2024

210. Alleged corruption in public procurement

The companies of Akaki Aladashvili, a delegate from the Georgian Dream electoral list, and his business partner, Sergo Shugharov, received 40.7 million GEL from public procurement in 2016-2024. 93% of the revenues from public procurement come from simplified procurements, non-competitive tenders, and tenders won as a result of disqualification of competitors. Aladashvili has been a member of the Tbilisi City Council since 2021 and vice-president of the Georgian Football Federation since 2016. Aladashvili and Shugharov donated a total of 100,000 GEL to the ruling party.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 30.08.2024

209. Alleged corruption of the son of the chairman of the Khelvachauri court

3 companies connected to Koba Putkaradze, the son of the chairman of the Khelvachauri district court, Gocha Putkaradze, a donor to the Georgian Dream, are building 3 residential buildings with a total area of ​​up to 129 thousand square meters in Batumi. The companies themselves and their shareholders are also donating a large amount of money to the Georgian Dream – their donations total 486,000 GEL.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 22.08.2024

208. Nepotism in the Prosecutor's Office

According to the investigation, high-ranking officials of the Prosecutor General's Office may have abused their influence and authority to employ family members in various state agencies through nepotism. The investigation names several such cases where the career advancement of high-ranking prosecutors coincided with the employment of their family members in the public service.

Source: Studio Monitor – 10.08.2024

207. State procurements of a donor to the ruling party in Borjomi

The company of Vakhtang Kapanadze, a donor to the Georgian Dream, LLC Mshenebili 2012, received more than 15 GEL in state procurements in 2012–2024. Of this, 72.1% was through tenders won without competition and by disqualification of others and direct procurements. Vakhtang Kapanadze's son, Nodar Kapanadze, held various positions in law enforcement agencies in Samtskhe-Javakheti during the same period.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 08.08.2024

206. Kakha Kaladze's undeclared assets

A journalistic investigation reveals the watch collection of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, the value of which exceeds several million GEL, which is not indicated in any of the declarations filled out by the official. The declaration also does not indicate the expensive accessories owned by his wife.

Source: TV Pirveli – 27.07.2024

205. Party activist employment scheme in the regions

A journalistic investigation shows the government’s employment scheme for the “Georgian Dream” party activist in the regions in Kutaisi, Borjomi, Akhaltsikhe and Gori. Investigative journalists deciphered the scheme of how the ruling party activists are employed in various municipal legal entities, on which millions of GEL are spent from the budget.

Source: Studio Monitor – 20.07.2024

204. Anzor Chubinidze’s fishing business

According to a journalistic investigation, the head of the State Special Protection Service, Anzor Chubinidze, has a fishing business in Kakheti. According to the investigation, part of the land is fictitiously registered in the name of Giorgi Makharoblishvili, an employee of the State Special Protection Service, and actually belongs to Chubinidze. In an interview with a journalist, Chubinidze confirms that Makharoblishvili is his trusted person and also receives income from the business.

Source: TV Pirveli – 06.07.2024

203. Alleged corruption in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region

Alleged signs of corruption were identified in state procurements received by several companies in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region that perform construction and/or road construction work. They are connected to current or former officials, and/or are also political donors. For example, the owner of 25% of the shares of LLC “Leader+” is Akaki Kvitsiani, who is the brother of MP Baia Kvitsiani from the “Georgian Dream”. The company has received contracts worth 37,232,754 GEL from state procurements since 2015.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 01.07.2024

202. Businesses and assets of a high-ranking official of the State Security Service

According to a journalistic investigation, Giorgi Gambashidze, Deputy Director of the General Inspectorate of the State Security Service, is engaged in activities incompatible with his position in violation of the law. Gambashidze has construction and finishing materials businesses. The company BMC Gezi LLC has not published financial statements since 2018, which is a violation of the law. Gambashidze is allegedly abusing his position and influence for the benefit of his own business.

Source: TV Pirveli – 22.06.2024

201. Alleged corruption scheme with the participation of justice employees

According to a journalistic investigation, the current employees of the National Agency of the Public Registry of the Ministry of Justice, the Head of the Logistics and Labor Safety Service, Archil Obgaidze, and his wife, the agency's lawyer, Nutsa Kantidze, are allegedly abusing their official authority. They are changing the status of agricultural lands with the same project, under the false pretext of building a school, and building and selling houses instead of schools. The registry employees' best man is Vakhtang Bokhashvili, the Deputy Head of the Public Registry Agency, who may be patronizing this scheme.

Source: TV Pirveli – 22.06.2024

200. Gharibashvili’s brother-in-law’s hydropower plant business

With the signature of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, by government decree 3, 11 hectares of land were transferred to the company Future Energy LLC for 49 years for the construction of hydropower plants in the Mashavera Gorge, of which Aleksandre Tamazashvili – Irakli Gharibashvili’s brother-in-law and former Georgian Dream MP – became a shareholder the next day. The construction of hydropower plants may pose a threat to the population and the historical monuments of the gorge. It is interesting that the agreement between the government and the company on the construction of hydropower plants was signed during Irakli Gharibashvili’s tenure as Prime Minister.

Source: TV Pirveli – 15.06.2024

199. Unsubstantiated property of the former mayor of Marneuli

Journalistic investigations have revealed the allegedly unsubstantiated property of Temur Abazov, the former mayor of Marneuli and a person close to Bidzina Ivanishvili’s son Bera Ivanishvili in the past, namely an expensive house, for the construction of which the former official should not have had sufficient legal income.

Source: TV Pirveli – 08.06.2024; Home – 27.03.2021

198. Georgian Dream’s “Titushki” are financed by Tbilisi City Hall

According to a journalistic investigation, members of the violent groups used by the Georgian Dream against protesting citizens are allegedly fictitiously employed by several youth and sports organizations established by the Tbilisi City Hall’s City Department of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, the total funding of which amounts to several million GEL each year.

Source: TV Pirveli – 08.06.2024

197. Judge Levan Murusidze’s undeclared and unsubstantiated assets

A journalistic investigation shows that Judge Levan Murusidze owns 170 hectares of land in Kakheti, a few kilometers from the Alazani Valley, which is registered in the name of his relative, Tamta Mikanadze. Tamta Mikanadze owns a 120 sq m apartment near the hippodrome, which, according to the investigation, was also allegedly purchased by Judge Levan Murusidze.

Source: Studio Monitor – 01.06.2024

196. Alleged cases of nepotism in Mestia

17 relatives of 11 officials of the Mestia municipality are employed in various public institutions. Among these officials are Member of Parliament Viktor Japaridze, Mayor of Mestia Kapiton Zhorzholiani, and Chairman of the Mestia City Council Maizer Japaridze, who is himself Viktor Japaridze’s cousin.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 30.05.2024

195. How the Governmental A(A)I turned into an “Employment Office”

The “Ai, Faktisi” investigation shows examples of the government employing people in fictitious positions in budgetary organizations in Imereti. The government is artificially increasing staff at the expense of the budget and strengthening administrative resources for elections. Investigative journalists identified 8 individuals who, in parallel with the City Hall A(A)I, are also employed in election commissions, which poses a risk that those employed by the party will follow the party’s instructions during the elections.

Source: Ai, Fakt / ifact – 25.05.2024

194. Unsubstantiated property of the Deputy Head of the Government Administration

The Deputy Head of the Government Administration, Ilia Shamugia, purchased a 195.7 sq m apartment in the Tbilisi Gardens complex in October 2023 for approximately half the market price. According to the company's official website, the cost of a similar apartment in the residential complex is approximately 1.3 million GEL (512,000 USD); Ilia Shamugia purchased the apartment for 283,000 USD. However, in his property declaration, he indicated even less – 226,400 USD.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 23.05.2024

193. Vano Chkhartishvili’s tobacco business-friendly bill

On April 17, 2024, the Parliament supported the bill in its first reading, which simultaneously violates three international agreements and poses a threat to the health of citizens. The bill will halve the excise tax on tobacco raw materials, and the budget will lose up to 25 million GEL annually. According to a journalistic investigation, the amendment to the Tax Code is favorable for Vano Chkhartishvili’s company JSC Tbilisi Tobacco, a businessman close to Bidzina Ivanishvili. Chkhartishvili also appears in a secret recording released on September 17, 2018, which concerns the tobacco market distribution scheme in Georgia. The authenticity of this recording has not yet been investigated by the Prosecutor's Office.

Source: Studio Monitor – 18.05.2024; Transparency International - Georgia – 26.09.2018

192. Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili’s Forest and Estates for 1 Lari

According to a journalistic investigation, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili allegedly evaded paying a large amount of taxes to the budget. Papuashvili transferred 100,000 sq m of forest on the banks of the Alazani River in Kakheti from his cousin for 1 Lari. According to the legislation, if the cousins ​​had registered a gift and not a purchase for 1 Lari, Papuashvili, as the recipient of the gift, would have been subject to income tax, which would have been approximately 200,000 Lari based on the market price.

Source: Mountain News – 28.04.2024

191. Uncompetitive and unconditional auction won by Kakha Kaladze’s best man

4 historical buildings on “Gudiashvili Square”, rehabilitated with the budget of Tbilisi Municipality, finally ended up in the ownership of the business group of Ivliane Tsulaia, the best man of Tbilisi City Mayor, Kakha Kaladze’s best man, through an uncompetitive and unconditional auction.

Source: Studio Monitor – 27.04.2024

190. Benefits in exchange for votes

In 2023, the “Georgian Dream” was able to elect the desired members to the High Council of Justice with the help of the opposition. Independent MP Dilar Khabuliani voted in favor of the ruling party. Two days after the vote, the government canceled the privatization conditions for two plots of land of interest to Khabuliani and returned the previously confiscated state property to his company for 1 GEL.

Source: Here's the Fact / ifact – 22.04.2024

189. Adoption of the so-called "Offshore Law" tailored to Bidzina Ivanishvili

In the spring of 2024, Georgian Dream deputies submitted amendments to the Tax Code related to offshores to the parliament, which were discussed and adopted in an expedited manner. The legislative amendments were tailored to the honorary chairman of the party, Bidzina Ivanishvili. The so-called As a result of the adoption of the “Offshore Law”, which made it possible for Ivanishvili to import a collection of expensive paintings and other assets into the country without paying taxes, the Georgian budget is estimated to have seen a potential loss of up to $100 million.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 19.04.2024

188. “Occupation of the intellect”

A journalistic investigation shows that the proceedings against the Georgian Copyright Association (GCA) are being led by Lasha Natsvlishvili, the former deputy chief prosecutor of Otar Partskhaladze and a known ideologist of the ruling party. According to the plan, the Georgian Copyright Association (GCA) was to replace the newly created Georgian Copyright Owners Association (GERA/IPOA), which has ties to Russia. Various branches of government are involved in this process. As it turns out, the Russian Society of Authors (RAO) planned to use the GERA/IPOA bank account to evade sanctions.

Source: Studio Monitor – 13.04.2024, Studio Monitor – 17.06.2023

187. Unsubstantiated assets of the former Deputy Minister of Economy

A journalistic investigation reveals the allegedly unsubstantiated and undeclared assets of the former Deputy Minister of Economy, Romeo Mikautadze: including an expensive house in Madrid, Spain, and real estate in Georgia. Mikautadze’s declaration does not fully reflect his income, expenses, and expensive movable property, including his children’s education and living expenses in Europe. The journalistic investigation reveals alleged corruption violations of abuse of official position and influence peddling.

Source: Studio Monitor – 06.04.2024

186. Alleged corruption case involving the mayor of Adigeni

The brother of Adigeni Mayor Gocha Kimadze is one of the 5 businessmen who, together with the Adigeni City Hall, founded the AIG “Adigeni Development Fund”. Levan Kimadze received 1,287,209 GEL from purchases from Adigeni municipal AIGs in 2013-2023. The mayor’s other brother, Jemal Kimadze, has been holding the position of director of the AIG “Adigeni Improvement and Cleaning Service” for the fourth year.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 05.04.2024

185. Alleged corruption, “revolving door” and Russian interests in protected areas

A journalistic investigation reveals an alleged corruption scheme, how protected areas leased by the state ended up with a company whose shareholders include Valerian Mchedlidze, the former chairman of the Agency for Protected Areas, and Mamuka Merkviladze, the head of the Georgian section in Russia, who has ties to Russia.

Source: Mountain News – 30.03.2024; 09.08.2025

184. How the Nursery Agency Violated the Law

A journalistic investigation shows how the Tbilisi City Hall Nursery Agency is holding a tender worth tens of millions of lari. According to the investigation, the agency hid an important document that should have decided the fate of the tender and, apparently, it helped a specific company (LLC Nutrition) win.

Source: Radio Liberty – 29.03.2024

183. Suspicious Corruption Deals in Adjara

The company Esia Group LLC, which is connected to officials in Adjara, the brothers Akaki, Roland and Raul Beridze, received 5,344,077 GEL in state procurements in 2021-2024. The company received this amount either through subcontracting agreements, non-competitive tenders and tenders won through the disqualification of competitors.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 14.06.2023, 19.03.2024

182. Nepotism and alleged signs of corruption in the Adigeni City Hall

Djemal Kimadze, brother of Adigeni Mayor Gocha Kimadze, has been the director of the Adigeni Improvement and Cleaning Service since 2021, which is an incompatibility with the position under the Law on Combating Corruption. After Jemal Kimadze’s appointment, his son, Jumber Kimadze, received 103,829 GEL through direct purchases from the Adigeni City Hall.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 13.03.2024

181. Judge Giorgi Mikautadze’s allegedly unsubstantiated assets

A journalistic investigation reveals the multi-million dollar assets of the Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court, Giorgi Mikautadze. The value of Mikautadze’s assets exceeds his official income. Mikautadze indicated in his declaration that his mother gave him $150,000 in 2022-2023. As it turned out, the certificate submitted by the judge, which is supposed to confirm the income received by his mother from a specific company, is inconsistent with the official financial statements of the same company.

Source: TV Pirveli – 09.03.2024, “Transparency International - Georgia” – 02.04.2024

180. The government forgave 5 million GEL to the companies of the “Dream” MP

According to a journalistic investigation, it turns out that the Georgian government wrote off several million GEL of debts to the companies of the “Georgian Dream” MP Goderdzi Chankseliani. LLC Bekhili Group and LLC Grande Group were ordered to pay more than 6 million GEL to the budget, although this amount was reduced to 610 thousand GEL by the decree of the Government of Georgia. According to the MP, he did not use influence to reduce the amount imposed. In addition, contrary to the requirements of the law, Chankseliani did not transfer his business shares with the right to manage to another person, which is an activity incompatible with his position.

Source: Radio Liberty – 08.03.2024

179. Property of the Acting Chairman of the Central Election Commission

A journalistic investigation reveals the real estate of the Chairman of the Central Election Commission, Giorgi Kalandarishvili. His family owns several apartments in one of the most expensive districts of Tbilisi. During his time at the Central Election Commission, he purchased land in Bazaleti and Dusheti. Kalandarishvili has several apartments registered in the names of family members, which he claims belong to him. The wife of the Chairman of the Central Election Commission, Salome Chikviladze, is employed at Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Cartu Bank.

Source: TV Pirveli – 02.03.2024

178. Tbilisi Vice-Mayor’s Property

According to his property declaration, the Tbilisi Vice-Mayor does not own a house, however, according to a journalistic investigation, Irakli Khmaladze lives in a luxurious penthouse in the elite settlement of Krtsanisi. This complex belongs to Noshrevan Namoradze, a businessman close to the Georgian Dream. Namoradze began the construction of the Krtsanisi Villa Residence without a permit in 2015, but after paying a fine, he obtained the right to build apartment buildings. Since then, Namoradze has also received a number of problematic permits from the Tbilisi City Hall. According to the journalistic investigation, other violations can be found in Khmaladze’s declaration.

Source: Studio Monitor – 02.03.2024

177. State property and financing of Ucha Mamatsashvili’s son-in-law

According to the investigative story, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s cousin, Ucha Mamatsashvili’s wife’s brother-in-law, received 189,000 sq m of land from the state for business at 60 tetri per square meter by government decree. Koka Kokolashvili’s company “Blue Field” also received 250,000 GEL in state funding within the framework of the Ministry of Agriculture’s “Insert the Future” program.

Source: TV Pirveli – 02.03.2024

176. State procurements of a former member of parliament

The company of former member of parliament, Sergo Khabuliani, has received 306,909,196 GEL through state procurements since 2011. Khabuliani’s company won 33 out of 68 tenders without any competitors, and won 16 tenders due to the disqualification of other participants. Khabuliani and his family donated 398,000 GEL to the ruling party.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 01.03.2024

175. Khobi City Hall’s allegedly customized tender

On January 17, 2024, Khobi City Hall announced one tender for the rehabilitation of roads in 6 different settlements, the cost of which is 10,818,151 GEL. The tender conditions set by the city hall limit competition and are allegedly customized for JSC Archeopolis, the company of Senaki Mayor Vakhtang Gadelia’s uncle. JSC Archeopolis won a similar tender announced by Khobi City Hall in January 2023 without any competition.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 26.02.2024

174. Police and Courts Against Activists in the Service of the Government

A journalistic investigation shows a pattern of how the government uses the police and courts against activists. The story discusses 5 cases where the police arrested activists in violation of freedom of expression, based on false testimonies, and then the court, ignoring objective evidence, recognized them as violators of the law. At the stage of considering these cases, judges Nino Shcherbakov and Koba Chagunava were appointed for a probationary period. On November 3, 2023, the High Council of Justice appointed both judges for life.

Source: Studio Monitor – 22.02.2024; Netgazeti – 02.02.2024

173. Nepotism in the Ministry of Internal Affairs

The investigative story shows the alleged facts of nepotism of the head of the Emergency Situations Management Service, Teimuraz Mghebrishvili. In a conversation with a journalist, Mghebrishvili confirmed that after his appointment as head, a close relative of his was employed in the same agency, although, as they noted, through a competition. Mghebrishvili's family members are also employed in the public sector: his wife, Nana Peikrishvili, works at the LEPL Government Special Communications Agency, and his son works at the State Security Service, as an investigator of particularly important cases.

Source: TV Pirveli – 10.02.2024

172. Allegedly unsubstantiated property of the Director of the Land Transport Agency

The income and expenses indicated in the property declaration filled out by the Director of the Land Transport Agency, Levan Gamkrelidze, do not match each other. Levan Gamkrelidze purchased property worth more than a million GEL in 2023 and spent 90,819 GEL on renovation materials with his wife, while receiving only 104,775 GEL in income.

Source: Batumelebi – 05.02.2024

171. Stolen Forests

A journalistic investigation reveals an alleged corruption scheme in which businessmen close to the government and donors to the ruling party obtain construction permits in Tbilisi’s most prestigious forest zones and green spaces. At the first stage, the Tbilisi City Council changes the zonal status of the territories in the forest and recreational zones of Tbilisi, and then the City Hall issues construction permits. According to specialists, the felled forest and lost recreational spaces in these areas increase the risk of natural disasters.

Source: Studio Monitor – 03.02.2024

170. Nepotism and unsubstantiated assets related to the former Deputy Minister of Defense

The son of the [former] Deputy Minister of Defense bought a house in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, for 205,000 USD. The story reveals that the son of the First Deputy Minister of Defense is an employee of the Ministry of Defense. Tornike Chikovani first worked with his mother in the State Security Service, and since 2021 he has been transferred to the Ministry of Defense, after Lela Chikovani also transferred to this agency. Since 2022, by order of Minister Juansher Burchuladze, Tornike Chikovani has been sent to New York. The story also shows suspicious cases of the Chikovanis purchasing properties at a foreclosure auction.

Source: TV Pirveli – 27.01.2024

169. Business racketeering in the name of Bidzina Ivanishvili and carried out by Otar Partskhaladze

The investigative story shows the scheme of racketeering in the gambling business by Otar Partskhaladze. The whistleblower Mamuka Kuntelia is a former shareholder of Kristalbet, who gave up his 10% stake after a direct request and pressure from Otar Partskhaladze. At the first stage, he was asked to give up his stake in the business on behalf of Partskhaladze, and then Partskhaladze personally got involved in the case. Partskhaladze assured him that all this was being done on Bidzina Ivanishvili’s instructions. Finally, in 2019, Kutelia gave up his own shares. The case involves the current head of the LEPL Revenue Service, Levan Kakava, and the then Business Ombudsman, Giorgi Gakharia.

Source: TV Pirveli – 27.01.2024

168. The inviolable son-in-law of the Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri

Investigative journalists obtained a recording of the court hearing, according to which patrol inspector Andria Sikharulidze stopped and demanded a breathalyzer test from Vakhtang Gomelauri's son-in-law, Zoba Mikhanashvili, which led to pressure being exerted on Sikharulidze and later his arrest. A month and a half after the incident with the minister's son-in-law, Andria Sikharulidze was arrested by the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on charges of taking a bribe of 300 l. Sikharulidze was sentenced to 7 years in prison. According to a journalistic investigation, the main witness in the case is an agent provocateur. As the court transcript shows, the taxi driver, who appeared as a witness in the case, was soon employed by the police. According to the family, after his arrest, Sikharulidze was physically assaulted at the police station.

Source: TV Pirveli – 20.01.2024

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2023

167. Construction business and conflict of interest related to MP Kontselidze

The legislative initiative of MP Resan Kontselidze on construction amnesty in Batumi contains signs of a conflict of interest, since Kontselidze's nephews Vakhtang and Gocha Kontselidze are directly involved in the construction business in Batumi. Another nephew of Kontselidze - Archil Kontselidze, is the head of the Batumi Municipal Inspection and is responsible for public supervision of construction in Batumi.

Source: "Transparency International - Georgia" - 22.12.2023

166. 335 million contracts to a major donor of the ruling party

Only 3 companies of businessman Giorgi Chkonia received 335,638,719 GEL from state procurements in 2011-2023. In addition, he received more than 4 hectares of land and several million GEL in grant funding from the state. Chkonia and his business partners donated a total of 1,394,000 GEL to the ruling party and presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili. One of Chkonia's business partners, Ala Kakhniauri, is a close associate of Bidzina Ivanishvili and is still in the management of several of his companies.

Source: "Transparency International - Georgia" - 12.12.2023

165. Real estate of ex-Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze

According to the investigative story, the brother of former Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze is building a five-story residential residence in Mtskheta, the real owner of which is the ex-Prime Minister himself. The former prime minister’s brother legalized state-owned plots of land measuring 610 and 199 sq m in the historic city of Mtskheta in 2016. Then, he leased an adjacent 1,590 sq m plot of land from the state for a period of 35 years, which will serve as the courtyard of the palace under construction. Questions arise both about the process of legalizing the land itself and the lease, as well as the funds needed for construction, which, according to publicly available information, the prime minister’s brother should not have had.

The journalistic investigation also shows that before becoming a member of the ruling team, Mamuka Bakhtadze had financial problems; his property was put up for auction and he was being evicted from his residence.

Source: TV Pirveli – 09.12.2023

164. Family of Adigeni Mayor’s Representative Receives Up to 2 Million GEL from State Procurement

In Adigeni Municipality, Khevasheni Administrative Unit, the companies of the brothers of the mayor’s representative Giorgi Endeladze received 1,905,649 GEL from 244 state procurements. Of this, 896,271 GEL (47%) was transferred from the Adigeni City Hall and its legal entities.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 07.12.2023

163. Corruption in the Ministry of Defense

The investigative story reveals corruption cases in the Ministry of Defense. As it turns out, the army is fed with expired products and supplied with low-quality clothing and linen. Public officials who wrote negative conclusions on the quality of food and textiles were dismissed. According to whistleblowers, Minister Juansher Burchuladze and Deputy Zurab Azarashvili (currently Minister of Health) are directly involved in this corruption process. In addition, the quality of construction raises questions. Signs of nepotism are also evident in this process, as members of Burchuladze’s cousin’s family are employed in the ministry’s quality control and procurement services.

Source: TV Pirveli – 02.12.2023

162. Political donations and won tenders by mineral extraction companies in Imereti

Companies with mineral extraction licenses in the Imereti region participate in state procurements and are also donors to the ruling party. 25 licensed companies and their associates made political donations of GEL 2,485,931. 26 companies with mineral extraction licenses received state contracts worth a total of GEL 757,566,585. A member of the Vani Sakrebulo from the ruling party received contracts worth GEL 26,226,116 from the state in 2019-2021. The godfather of Paikidze’s son is the head of the State Security Service, Grigol Liluashvili.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 22.11.2023; Radio Liberty – 27.06.2020

161. Alleged corruption case involving Viktor Sanikidze

In 2020, 5 months after basketball player Viktor Sanikidze entered parliament on the Georgian Dream list, the state transferred 12,858 sq m of agricultural land in Digomi, Tbilisi, and a 6,481 sq m building on it to his 9-month-old company, free of charge, for 50 years. The building was built as part of the 2015 European Youth Olympics.

Source: Fraud Detector – 21.11.2023

160. Land of the Defense Minister’s Son in Kakheti

According to a journalistic investigation, the 21-year-old son of Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and his business partners registered land plots in Kakheti under suspicious circumstances. In particular, the lands, the legalization of which the Public Registry initially refused to natural persons, were then legalized with the help of the same witnesses. The next day after legalization, they became the property of Davit Burchuladze and his business partner. A hotel is supposed to be built on this territory. The local municipality spent 1.5 million GEL to bring a road and communications to these plots. Another business of the minister's son is Russian baths, the access road to which was financed from the budget of the Vake District Administration.

Source: TV Pirveli – 18.11.2023

159. Business of the brother of a high-ranking police officer on the Kintrishi River

Without a license, based on the Prime Minister's decree, the riverbed of the Kintrishi River changed as a result of the extraction of inert material on the Kintrishi River, which caused problems for the locals. Mining work is carried out by Mining Group LLC, whose director is Guram Tamazashvili, the brother of Tbilisi Police Chief Sulkhan Tamazashvili. Environmental activists and some locals express suspicion that more material is being extracted than the decree provides for, and no one is holding the company accountable due to the connections of its director.

Source: Saturday Formula – 18.11.2023

158. MP Irakli Zarkua's Blueberry Business

According to a journalistic investigation, MP Irakli Zarkua owns blueberry plantations in Samegrelo through third parties. 55,000 sq m of the plantation is not officially registered in Zarkua's name, however, 19,000 sq m of land belongs to his mother, and the rest is in the names of his uncle, aunt, cousins, and other relatives. According to locals, the plantations belong to the MP.

Source: Saturday Formula – 18.11.2023

157. Nepotism in Georgian Railways

Georgian Railways Director General David Peradze appointed his close friend and family members’ business partners to high positions in Georgian Railways.

Source: Studio Monitor – 01.11.2023

156. On the trail of smuggled cigarettes

A journalistic investigation shows a scheme for transporting smuggled cigarettes from the occupied territory of Abkhazia. The article also shows cases of selling smuggled cigarettes in several cities of Georgia, including the capital. According to several whistleblowers, including former police officers, the smuggled goods business is patronized by influential officials.

Source: Radio Liberty – 31.10.2023

155. State property received by First Deputy Minister of Economy Romeo Mikautadze

A journalistic investigation reveals an alleged corruption scheme by First Deputy Minister of Economy Romeo Mikautadze to appropriate state property through intermediaries and fictitious transactions.

The company Blueberry Lab LLC was founded in 2019 by citizen Nino Kardava. Two weeks after its establishment, the state transferred 133,190 sq m of land to the company on a 25-year lease for 437 GEL per month and also allocated 90,000 GEL for the cultivation of blueberry orchards. In 2021, Nino Kardava gave a 33%-33% stake to Romeo Mikautadze and Bachana Suladze, director of JSC Ges Sakrusenergo. Finally, in 2022, Romeo Mikautadze's company, based on a government decree, purchased 133 thousand sq. m of land leased from the state without an auction, in the form of a direct sale, for approximately 1.12 GEL per square meter. Mikautadze purchased this property from the National Agency for State Property, a LEPL subordinate to his own ministry. In addition, Romeo Mikautadze and Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili are connected by cordiality and friendship.

Source: TV Pirveli – 28.10.2023

154. Uncle of Ninotsminda City Council official received up to 3 million GEL in purchases

The uncle of Garush Arzumanyan, deputy chairman of the faction “Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia” in the Ninotsminda City Council and a donor to the ruling party, Razmik Ghumashiani, received 2,840,710 GEL from Ninotsminda City Hall purchases in 2013-2023, of which 1,759,795 GEL (61.9% of the amount received) was through disqualification of others, non-competitive tenders and direct purchases.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 27.10.2023

153. 28 million GEL state purchases by former officials

After leaving office, Sulkhan Zumburidze and Mamuka Papuashvili’s companies received more than 28 million GEL and 15 hectares of land from state purchases for 49 years, with the right to place buildings on them. In 2010-2018, Zumburidze was the director and chairman of the board of directors of one of the highest-paid JSC Georgian State Electrosystems in Georgia, while Papuashvili was a member of the board of directors of the same state company. Sulkhan Zumburidze’s business partners donated 195,000 GEL to the ruling party at various times.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 24.10.2023

152. Business and property registered in the name of the son of the head of the State Special Protection Service, Anzor Chubinidze

A journalistic investigation shows the alcohol and alcoholic beverage business registered in the name of Mariam Chubinidze, the 25-year-old son of the head of the State Special Protection Service, Anzor Chubinidze. In addition, in 2023 alone, approximately 12,000 sq. m. of land was registered in the name of Mariam Chubinidze. According to Anzor Chubinidze, they managed to build a factory, purchase land plots, install a production line and start the construction of a new factory only with a salary, which, according to information available in open sources, is approximately 5,000 GEL. According to documents obtained by journalists, the Chubinidze family received 491,263 GEL from the Rural Development Agency of the Georgian Private Enterprise (AIP), and invested more than half a million GEL themselves.

Source: TV Pirveli – 21.10.2023

151. Property of Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili’s mother-in-law

The Prime Minister’s retired mother-in-law, Maia Papiashvili, bought 930 sq m of land adjacent to Irakli Gharibashvili’s house in Bakuriani for $150,000. The Prime Minister’s security guards patrol the state-owned forest adjacent to this plot of land and prohibit movement. There is a suspicion that the territory is illegally in the de facto ownership of the Prime Minister’s family. The Prime Minister’s mother-in-law also purchased property worth more than a million GEL in Tbilisi in cash, without a loan, in 2018.

Source: TV Pirveli – 30.09.2023

150. Undeclared property of the General Director of Georgian Railways

A journalistic investigation reveals the undeclared property of the General Director of the state-owned company JSC Georgian Railways, David Peradze: a luxurious villa, an expensive car, and his wife’s branded accessories. The origin of the funds needed to purchase this property also raises questions, as the income indicated in Peradze’s declaration is much lower.

Source: Studio Monitor – 30.09.2023; OCCRP – 29.09.2023

149. Purchase of more than 53 million GEL from a company privileged by the state

The state-privileged company “Neostar”, together with its subsidiaries, has purchased 161,369 sq m of real estate since 2011. m of land plots (including 129,852 sq. m at a symbolic price of 1 GEL) and state purchases worth 53,661,137 million GEL were received. Most of them are purchases by the Kobuleti Municipality, and these companies are related to the former head of the Kobuleti Municipality Architecture Service, Badri Romanadze.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 28.09.2023

148. The Prime Minister’s Wife’s Expensive Party

A journalistic investigation shows the Prime Minister’s wife’s luxurious party, which was held to celebrate her birthday. Current civil servants are involved in organizing the party. According to the publicly declared income, the Prime Minister’s family cannot reimburse the expenses of this party. According to the reports, the current legislation was violated, according to which the Prime Minister's wife cannot receive gifts worth more than 1,000 GEL per year, and at the same time, she used employees of the government administration and the Special State Protection Service for personal purposes.

Source: TV Pirveli – 09.09.2023; 23.09.2023

147. Hijacked State Institutions in the Office of Former Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze

On September 14, 2023, the United States imposed sanctions on former Chief Prosecutor of Georgia Otar Partskhaladze for his cooperation with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). Since leaving office, the assets of Partskhaladze and his wife have increased significantly, as Transparency International Georgia reported back in 2018. In addition, he has acquired significant assets in Russia. In February 2016, according to the State Audit Office, the Tbilisi City Hall illegally transferred assets to Partskhaladze’s company, allegedly as a result of a corrupt deal. If there was an independent and impartial justice system, Otar Partskhaladze should have been held accountable in a number of cases.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 16.09.2023; 28.02.2018; TV Pirveli – 16.09.2023; 23.09.2023

146. Expansion of the Prime Minister’s Family Estate and Unsubstantiated Property

A journalistic investigation shows how Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili’s family estates in Dedoplistskaro have grown since 2012. After becoming Prime Minister, the area of ​​the estate expanded 4 times and reached 6,126 sq m. According to the agreement signed on March 27, 2023, the Prime Minister’s father, Tariel Gharibashvili, paid 5,000 GEL for 1,339 sq m. m of land – 3.37 GEL, which is 15 times less than the market price, which raises doubts about the legalization of the alleged illegal income. In addition, according to the investigation, part of the territory fenced off by the Prime Minister’s family does not belong to them and has been illegally appropriated.

The Prime Minister’s retired father, Tariel Gharibashvili, bought a share in a winery in February 2023, a neighbor’s house and land in March, and gave his son 300,000 GEL in 2021-2022. After his son became Prime Minister, he also purchased agricultural land plots with a total area of ​​27,494 sq. m.

According to officials, the Prime Minister’s father also financed a charter flight of 100,000 GEL. In addition, a journalistic investigation has revealed that the Prime Minister’s family also owns a chateau in Kakheti. The Prime Minister’s father built a complex with 3 buildings, fencing off an area of ​​27,494 sq m with metal. The local authorities built a section of the road leading to Gharibashvili’s chateau. Another investigation has shown that Tariel Gharibashvili was neither a millionaire nor did he own significant property before his son became Prime Minister.

Source: TV Pirveli – 6.05.2023; 16.09.2023-I; 16.09.2023-II

145. Use of a government plane for personal purposes – Part 2

According to a journalistic investigation, the mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, has repeatedly used a government plane for personal purposes. Kaladze confirmed this fact to the journalist, however, he noted that the service costs were not covered by the budget.

Source: TV Pirveli – 16.09.2023

144. Use of a government plane for personal purposes – Part 1

According to a journalistic investigation, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili used a state plane for personal purposes and took his son to Munich on a government plane for school on August 19. The plane was waiting for the Prime Minister, who was in America, at the Munich airport for a week, who returned to Tbilisi on the same plane on August 28. The authenticity of the flight was confirmed by Tamaz Gaiashvili, the owner of the company “Georgian Airways”.

Later, the head of the State Special Protection Service, Anzor Chubinidze, stated that the trip of Gharibashvili and his family on a state-owned plane from Tbilisi to Munich and back cost 34,000 euros, and the said amount was paid by the Prime Minister’s father, Tariel Gharibashvili. The origin of this money also raises questions, since the Prime Minister's father is a pensioner and should not have been able to pay such an amount.

Source: TV Pirveli – 09.09.2023

143. Suspicious tenders of Sagarejo City Hall

In 2017-2021, Sagarejo City Hall signed contracts worth almost 1.5 million GEL with Maya LLC through state procurement. Presumably, the tenders were tailored to this company from the very beginning: in 8 out of 18 tenders, the company had no competitors; 8 tenders were won by disqualifying competitors; and in 17 out of 18 tenders, the final contract amount was increased. Presumably, the City Hall intentionally announced tenders at a lower price than necessary, in order to limit competition.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 16.08.2023

142. “Javakheti Feudalism”

According to a journalistic investigation, instead of decentralization, Javakheti still has clan governance, and the vast majority of land is owned by a few influential and wealthy people. For example, Sumbat and Seiran Kyureghiani own several million sq. m of land, larger than the state of Monaco. Sumbat Kyureghiani has been a Georgian Dream MP in parliament since 2020, before that he was the chairman of the Ninotsminda Sakrebulo from 2012 to 2020. His father, Seiran Kyureghiani, was the chairman of the Ninotsminda District Election Commission for 17 years. Sumbat Kyureghiani, his wife, mother, father and son own a total of approx. 3,800,000 sq. m of land in Javakheti.

Source: Radio Liberty/Studio Monitor – 05.08.2023; Publika – 31.10.2023

141. Kutaisi City Hall signs large contract with new company

Kutaisi City Hall signed a simplified (direct) contract worth 214,524 GEL with an inexperienced company founded by donors to the ruling party to perform work the need for which was known long ago.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 08.07.2023

140. Undeclared assets and income of MP Anton Obolashvili

Member of Parliament Anton Obolashvili did not indicate in his declaration a parking space purchased for 58,000 euros in Paris, and apartments purchased for 1,200,000 dollars in Dubai. He rents out one of the apartments in Dubai, from which he has an additional income of $20,000 annually, which is also not reflected in the declaration.

Source: Studio Monitor – 08.07.2023; OCCRP – 08.07.2023

139. Suspicious Procurement in Zugdidi Municipality

Companies linked to Zugdidi Mayor Mamuka Tsotsira and Zaza Anthia, a friend and classmate of Davit Kukhaleishvili, Deputy State Governor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, are winning local procurements. Since 2018, Road Plus LLC and Building Group 17 LLC have received a total of 22,108,948 GEL in tenders, 77% of which were won without competition or through disqualification of competitors. Interestingly, 12,129,286 GEL in procurements fall directly to the Zugdidi City Hall.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 04.07.2023

138. Prime Minister’s relatives in public service and corruption scheme to seize state property

The journalistic investigation shows cases of alleged nepotism, examples of employment of relatives of Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili’s wife in the public sector. The investigation also shows an alleged corruption scheme to obtain state land cheaply: state property is first transferred to the balance of local self-government, then the City Hall turns to a private audit to evaluate the land, which values ​​the property at a price much lower than the market price. For example, the land was first allegedly bought cheaply by fictitious persons, then it was sold to Irakli Shiolashvili, a classmate of Nunuka Tamazashvili. The Prime Minister’s father and his business partners also received state land cheaply through this scheme.

Source: TV Pirveli – 24.06.2023

137. Suspicious tenders of companies of former senior Akhalkalaki police official

The companies of former senior Akhalkalaki police official and Georgian Dream donor Khachik Mosoyan received 2,687,008 GEL through 49 state procurements in 2014-2022. Of this, 1,928,488 GEL (71.7%) was credited from the Akhalkalaki City Hall, where his relative headed the legal department for 6 years.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 22.06.2023

136. Alleged cases of nepotism and favoritism in the Georgian State Electrosystem

Vano Zardiashvili is a member of the Board of Directors of JSC Georgian State Electrosystem and Director for Legal, Environmental, Social and Permits. He is responsible for the Legal Affairs and Relations with the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Environmental, Social and Permits Departments. These two departments employ 6 people with connections to Zardiashvili, the government and representatives of the court clan.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 19.06.2023; TV Pirveli – 24.05.2025

135. Hidden Property and Business of the Minister of Internal Affairs – Part 2

A new real estate property has been registered in the name of the acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri. According to the declaration, Gomelauri paid 542,000 GEL for a 200 sq m residential area in the "Archi Tower" on Chavchavadze Avenue in Tbilisi. According to a journalistic investigation, the cost of a sq m in the "Archi Tower" is at least $2,800 and the minister actually has a new property with a market value of one and a half million. In addition, various circumstances indicate that Gomelauri previously owned this apartment, but it was fictitiously registered to someone else.

According to a 2022 journalistic investigation, Gomelauri's personal bodyguard Giorgi Meladze has owned 2 underground garages in the "Archi Tower" on Chavchavadze Avenue since 2017, which raised suspicions that this property belonged to Vakhtang Gomelauri and that he also owned an apartment there, which was confirmed in 2023. According to the 2022 investigation, Gomelauri's bodyguard owns businesses and real estate worth millions.

Source: TV Pirveli: – 17.06.2023; 11.07.2022

134. Uncompetitive tenders of a businessman close to the Kremlin in Adjara

The company "Sever" (Север) of a businessman close to the Kremlin wins uncompetitive tenders in Adjara. Since 2013, the company has participated in 73 state procurements, winning 69 of them, including 63 without competition, and 6 through the disqualification of a competitor. In total, it received 4,816,286 GEL. During the same period, 39 simplified procurement agreements worth 163,428 GEL were signed with the company.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 09.06.2023

133. Alleged corruption schemes in Tbilisi City Hall

A journalistic investigation describes a scheme according to which a construction business receives land for building blocks from Tbilisi City Hall in exchange for land unsuitable for construction, allegedly as a result of a corrupt deal. Citizen Shalva Kvrivishvili purchased useless land plots for construction for 1,100,000 GEL in 6 days, and in 11 days he applied to the city hall, requested a land exchange and, in the end, received land for building buildings on Lisi. According to the investigation, Kvrivishvili could not have bought a million-dollar property, especially without a loan. Kvrivishvili's business partner and company shareholder donated 50,000 GEL to the ruling party.

Source: TV Pirveli – 27.05.2023

132. Alleged case of a multi-million-dollar tender tailored to the company of a former high-ranking police official

The company of the former head of the Tbilisi Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ioseb Alavidze, allegedly received a 7.8 million GEL contract from the Georgian Railways through a tender tailored to him. Georgian Railways required at least 20 years of continuous experience from the supplier, thereby placing Alavidze's company, Intersecurity-Georgia LLC, in a privileged position. According to the Business Register of the National Statistics Service, this company is the only one in Georgia with 20 years of experience in the security sector, providing security services with live force.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 23.05.2023

131. Alleged corruption in the disbursement of political donations

Former member of the Batumi City Council, Nukri Dolidze, donated 50,000 GEL to the Georgian Dream party, and received 45 million GEL from tenders in the first four months of 2023. According to a 2021 study, Nukri Dolidze's companies "Bond 2009" and "Monolith 2005" are one of the main implementers of large infrastructure projects in Adjara. In 2010-2021, both companies received up to 130 million GEL from state procurements, mostly from the Batumi City Hall and the Adjara Roads Department, 68% of which was obtained through non-competitive, disqualification of rival companies and simplified contracts.

Source: "Transparency International - Georgia" - 15.05.2023; 07.10.2024; 11.06.2021; Batumelebi – 23.04.2026

130. Alleged corruption in the grape harvest subsidy program

Four companies linked to Zaal Dugladze, a member of the Georgian Parliament, received a total of 8,562,573 GEL under the State Agrocredit Program in 2013-2022. Along with Zaal Dugladze, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s brother, Aleksandre Ivanishvili, has his own business interests in the companies. Transparency International Georgia also wrote in 2022 about the alleged corruption in grape harvest subsidies: Out of the 138 million GEL spent by the government on grape harvest subsidies in 2021, a significant part of the subsidies went to donors to the ruling party and companies connected to high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili’s close circle.

Source: "Transparency International - Georgia" – 11.05.2023; 29.04.2022

129. 290,000 GEL from the budget for the construction of a road from one hotel to another of MP Gocha Enukidze

The Ambrolauri Municipality City Hall has allocated 290,000 GEL for the rehabilitation of a road connecting one hotel to the newly built hotel cottages owned by Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti majoritarian MP Gocha Enukidze. No one lives along this narrow road section and it does not even officially have the status of a road of local importance. This is not the first case of the rehabilitation of a road to Enukidze’s business facility from the state budget. The municipality also financed the construction of a second road (bypass) leading to the MP’s hotel “Karse” complex in the village of Sadmeli, a 5-minute drive from Ambrolauri Airport.

Source: Mountain News – 08.05.2023

128. Alleged corruption of Marneuli Deputy Mayor

The company of the father of Marneuli Deputy Mayor Temur Shubitidze took 15,985,260 GEL from the Marneuli City Hall over a period of 17 months starting in 2022. Temur Shubitidze became the Deputy Mayor of Marneuli in December 2021, and since then, his father's company, Paata Shubitidze, has won 22 tenders announced by the City Hall. Paata Shubitidze owns a 50% stake in Ktsia LLC. It is Ktsia that wins the majority of road construction tenders announced by the City Hall.

Source: Radio Marneuli – 08.05.2023

127. State property transferred to the brother of the Minister of Economy and suspicious circumstances

A journalistic investigation shows how the Vice Prime Minister, Levan Davitashvili's brother, Davit Davitashvili, became the owner of an 8,500 sq. m. state-owned land plot in Saguramo.

The state divided 11,610 sq. m into parts. It changed the status of 2,500 sq. m. to make construction possible and sold it to the minister's brother through a direct sale within three weeks for 40 GEL per sq. m., while the adjacent 6,000 sq. m. plot of land was left for arable land and put up for lease at auction, which Davit Davitashvili also leased from the state for 30 GEL per month, with an agricultural obligation. The Ministry of Agriculture was supposed to verify the fulfillment of the obligation. At that time, the minister was his brother Levan Davitashvili. In 2020, based on a government decree, the state sold this plot to Davitashvili through a direct sale for 26 GEL per sq m, much cheaper than the market price.

Based on the same decree, the brother of Archil Nikoleishvili, the then head of the LEPL National Forestry Agency, Giorgi Nikoleishvili, also purchased it. Archil Nikoleishvili transferred part of the Bakuriani forest to Irakli Gharibashvili’s wife for half a century.

Source: TV Pirveli – 06.05.2023

126. Suspicious circumstances of MP Fridon Injia’s appropriation of state lands

A journalistic investigation shows the schemes of alleged seizure of state lands in Martvili by MP Fridon Injia. The story cites several cases where the MP and his family members registered state property free of charge, presumably based on false information, as if the said lands had been in their use for years. For example, Injia's son-in-law registered 52,412 sq. m of state-owned land in the village of Bandza free of charge, which, according to locals, was in the common use of the people.

Source: TV Pirveli – 06.05.2023

125. The company of the son of an official of the Akhaltsikhe Sakrebulo received state procurements worth up to 9 million GEL

The company "EL S Georgia", owned by the son and daughter-in-law of the chairman of the Infrastructure Commission and member of the Tender Commission of the Akhaltsikhe Sakrebulo, Nodar Talakhadze, received 8,797,512 GEL from state procurements in 2020-2022. Of this, 2,935,177 GEL (33.3%) was transferred from the Akhaltsikhe City Hall. Of this, 2,290,017 GEL (78%) were signed by the Akhaltsikhe City Hall through uncompetitive tenders and direct purchases.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 25.04.2023

124. Suspicious tenders of a former official’s company

The company “Qoruldi” LLC, owned by the former deputy governor of Bolnisi and head of the “Georgian Dream” election headquarters in Bolnisi in 2012, wins the tenders of the Mestia municipality without competition. The total value of the contracts is 2,247,897 GEL. Out of 6 tenders, it won in all cases, five times without competition, once – due to the disqualification of competitors.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 19.04.2023

123. MP Viktor Japaridze’s brother-in-law’s company receives state procurement

The company of Aleko Khvistani, the brother-in-law of parliamentary majority MP Viktor Japaridze, received 6,549,941 GEL from tenders and 13,077,076 GEL from secret procurements, allegedly. Aleko Khvistani is the director of “Electrical Installation Service” LLC, and his wife Maia Chelidze owns a 50% share of the company. Aleko Khvistani is also a donor to the “Georgian Dream”. He donated a total of 110,000 GEL to the ruling party in 2014-2020.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 13.04.2023

122. Alleged Political Corruption in Khelvachauri City Council

Russian citizens are planning to build a residential area (Salibauri Hills) on an area of ​​16,000 sq.m. on the Salibauri Hills hill in the village of Salibauri, near Batumi. Two Georgian citizens associated with the company donated a total of 40,000 GEL to the ruling party and received approval for a detailed development plan (DDP) from the Khelvachauri City Council within two weeks. The closeness between the dates of the donation and the issuance of the permit raises suspicions that the purpose of the donation may have been to obtain a construction permit. Furthermore, the fact that the donation was made by Georgian citizens associated with the construction project raises suspicions that this money may not have belonged to them, but to Russian citizens who own the construction company.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 12.04.2023

121. Suspicious permits and apartments for relatives of Tbilisi Deputy Mayor

A journalistic investigation discusses the suspicious connections of Tbilisi Deputy Mayor Irakli Bendeliani with construction companies. Despite the protests of the population, the Tbilisi City Hall still issues permits for the construction of apartment buildings and fully meets the requirements of construction companies. In the buildings built by these companies, apartments belonging to Irakli Bendeliani’s relatives were discovered, including family members.

Source: Studio Monitor – 27.03.2023

120. Possible cases of corruption at the municipal level

The company of the director of the Akhalkalaki Municipal Public Works Department wins local tenders. Martin Gabrieliani, who has held various positions in the Akhalkalaki municipality since 2013, receives state procurements. His LLC “Megobroba-5” has concluded 36 state procurements worth 1,390,861 GEL since August 2019. Of these, 667,186 GEL (47.9%) were transferred from the Akhalkalaki budget through 21 procurements.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 27.03.2023

119. The company of the head of the government administration receives state procurements worth millions

As a result of a journalistic investigation, it was established that the company Infrakon LLC (business code 405259660), owned by the head of the government administration of Georgia, Revaz Javelidze, signed contracts for state procurements worth several million GEL. For example, in 2022, Javelidze's company signed contracts worth GEL 1,438,247 with the Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, and in 2023 with the Kareli Municipality, worth GEL 2,344,770. Revaz Javelidze owns 100% of the shares of Infrakon LLC, which he has transferred the right to manage to a third party.

Source: TV Pirveli – 25.03.2023

118. “Court at the Service of Vano Chkhartishvili”

The journalistic investigation shows how Vano Chkhartishvili, a businessman close to Ivanishvili, is swindling investors out of tens of millions of dollars in a Georgian court, how two instances of the court ordered a Kazakh company to pay $12 million in favor of Chkhartishvili’s company, for which the insolvent state company “Georgian Railways” lent $8.5 million to Chkhartishvili’s company.

Source: Radio Liberty – 01.03.2023

117. Unsubstantiated Property of the Deputy Minister

The journalistic investigation shows the alleged unsubstantiated property of Deputy Minister of Economy Romeo Mikautadze: expensive houses and cars, a hotel business, a development company with land in Tsavki and Tsaghveri. In addition, the investigation tells us about the purchase of a cultural heritage monument in the Tbilisi Tourist Center by family members of senior City Hall officials, allegedly using their official positions.

Source: Studio Monitor – 25.02.2023

116. An alleged case of “revolving door” and tailoring a normative act to a specific company

Vakhtang Ambokadze, the former General Director of the Georgian State Company JSC “Electricity Market Operator” (ESCO), registered a company (LLC Inter RAO Georgia) one day after leaving his position, which was involved in the import and transit of electricity from Russia. This action falls within the definition of a “revolving door”.

Ambokadze's company's financial statements show that the increase in its profits was due to a change in the resolution of the Georgian National Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (GNEWRC).

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 23.02.2023

115. Illegal construction by officials

“Transparency International Georgia” revealed alleged unauthorized construction by 3 officials in Adjara, namely: Eduard Nakashidze, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, illegally built a residential house; the wife of Davit Mchedlishvili, Chairman of the Kobuleti Sakrebulo, illegally carried out construction work and increased the total area of ​​the house by 5 times; the wife of Temur Kurshubadze, Head of the LEPL Adjara Forestry Agency, illegally built 2 new buildings.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 20.02.2023

114. Alleged corruption case in Terjola municipal procurement

The company “Gold Power” of Lado Khvareshia, a friend of Terjola Sakrebulo members and a former employee of the majoritarian MP’s bureau, received 500,000 GEL worth of contracts through state procurement in 9 months. It won its first tender just two months after its establishment. In one of the tenders, the Terjola City Hall disqualified Khvareshia’s company’s competitors due to a “flaw” that had not been a problem at other times.

Source: Ai, Fakt / ifact – 15.02.2023

113. Alleged corrupt decision in issuing fishing licenses

According to a journalistic investigation, in 2018, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture extended licenses for the extraction of capshia in the Black Sea to four companies until 2036. The shareholders of the licensed company are connected to the ruling party “Georgian Dream” and Bidzina Ivanishvili’s cousin Ucha Mamatsashvili.

According to the investigation, despite the negative conclusion of the head of the Black Sea Monitoring Service, the government fully satisfied the business requirements, changed the license conditions of the companies, and, at the same time, put the licensed companies in a de facto monopolistic position.

Source: Studio Monitor – 11.02.2023; Batumelebi – 21.03.2021

112. Business of the Defense Minister’s Son

According to a journalistic investigation, the company Kolkheti Ltd (business code 405369694), owned by the son of Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze, is building Russian baths in the village of Mukhattskaro. Construction began two years ago and has already been completed. Juansher Burchuladze, David Burchuladze, and the company are registered at the same address, although the minister did not indicate his son and his business in the declaration. The minister’s son was 19 years old at the time of the company’s establishment.

Source: TV Pirveli – 11.02.2023

111. Hidden assets and businesses of the Minister of Internal Affairs – Part 1

According to a journalistic investigation, the Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri also owns construction and gambling businesses, which he fictitiously registered in the name of Davit Velijanashvili.

Source: TV Pirveli – 09.02.2023

110. The company of a member of the Mestia Sakrebulo receives local procurements

The company “Builder 21” LLC, associated with the Chairman of the Mestia Sakrebulo Commission on Economic Issues and Tourism Development, Bachuki Nakani, received 1,212,404 GEL from local procurements, including 578,898 GEL after Bachuki Nakani was elected to the position. The company won all tenders without competition.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 08.02.2023

109. Vakhtang Gomelauri’s son-in-law’s multi-million dollar fortune

According to a journalistic investigation, the son-in-law of the Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri, Shalva Omsarashvili, has been accumulating a multi-million dollar fortune for several months before and after his marriage to the minister’s daughter, in about 1 year. The minister’s son-in-law has expensive cars and apartments in Tbilisi, while before his marriage to Ana Gomelauri, only a few hectares of land were registered in Omsarashvili’s name in Gurjaani.

Source: TV Pirveli – 04.02.2023

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2022

108. Alleged cases of nepotism, conflict of interest and illicit enrichment

The journalistic investigation discusses dozens of cases of alleged nepotism, when family members of members of parliament, ministers and their deputies are employed in organizations established and financed by the state. The investigation also included cases of alleged conflict of interest and illicit enrichment, and the employment of individuals close to the Georgian Dream party and so-called party assets in highly paid positions in various state-owned companies.

Source: Studio Monitor – 25.12.2022

107. Corruption risks in Abastumani

From August 2018 to December 2022, 6 public agencies spent 249,920,551 GEL on the development of Abastumani, almost 14 times more than in 2012-2018. The government began implementing large infrastructure projects in Abastumani after Bidzina Ivanishvili expressed his economic interest in the resort. 83.1% of the money spent was received by companies affiliated with Georgian Dream donors, who at various times deposited 1,276,000 GEL into the account of the ruling party.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 09.12.2022; Batumelebi – 03.10.2025

106. Simplified procurement of 1.7 million GEL from a donor of the “Georgian Dream”

LEPL “National Agency of State Property” signed a simplified contract worth 1,724,814 GEL with a company owned by a major donor of the “Georgian Dream” and Giorgi Chkonia, the architect of the “Panorama Tbilisi” project previously owned by Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 05.12.2022

105. Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Interests and the Cement Business

According to a journalistic investigation, the Georgian cement manufacturing company “Heidelberg Cement Georgia” linked to Bidzina Ivanishvili is harming the environment and people’s health. According to the investigation, due to the company’s connection to Ivanishvili, state agencies are not responding appropriately to the company’s violations of the law.

Source: Radio Liberty – 26.11.2022

104. State land seized by the family of MP Levan Mgaloblishvili

According to a journalistic investigation, the family of “Georgian Dream” MP Levan Mgaloblishvili illegally seized state-owned land in Tskneti, fenced it off, and built a house on it. According to the Public Registry, the land belongs to the Tbilisi Municipality and is not leased.

Source: TV Pirveli – 26.11.2022

103. Alleged political corruption in the management of the Racha forest

The article describes circumstances indicating possible political corruption involving a businessman with close Russian ties to the ruling party, David Khidasheli. In particular, after Khidasheli helped the ruling party launch a politically motivated campaign in 2020 to mobilize voters, he received as a priority the right to establish a private hunting farm in the Racha forest at the expense of a 13-times more profitable nature conservation project, as a result of which the state received approximately 2 million GEL in damages.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 24.11.2022

102. MP Levan Mgaloblishvili’s Construction Business

According to a journalistic investigation, Georgian Dream MP Levan Mgaloblishvili personally oversees his construction businesses, although the companies are registered in the names of his wife and father-in-law. In addition, the company “Marshal Didi Digomi” LLC is selling apartments without having fully obtained a construction permit from the Tbilisi City Hall. In addition, workers employed on the construction of the Gudauri hotel-residential complex claim that the company will not compensate them for the work performed, and when they protested, the MP personally threatened them.

Source: TV Pirveli – 19.11.2022

101. Election Fraud Scheme

Levan Oniani, the former chairman of the Rustavi City Council who fled to France, exposes the ruling party’s vote mobilization scheme in the elections. According to Oniani, before the elections, large amounts of black money were transferred from the central office of the Georgian Dream to bribe people and for black activities. In exchange for the mobilized votes in Rustavi, the party either paid money or employed relatives of intermediaries in the city hall. Food and medicines were also bought in exchange for votes. Oniani also speaks about the involvement of business, saying that big businesses mobilized employees in favor of the ruling party. According to Oniani, all this was done in agreement with the heads of the election headquarters, Kakha Kaladze and Irakli Kobakhidze. According to Oniani, he was also instructed to adopt resolutions or decrees in favor of specific people.

Source: TV Pirveli – 19.11.2022

100. Suspicious enrichment of Business Ombudsman Otar Danelia

The journalistic investigation describes the suspicious enrichment of Otar Danelia, who has held various high-ranking positions and is currently the Business Ombudsman, over the past 8 years, the failure to indicate real estate in the property declaration, incompatible entrepreneurial activities, and alleged nepotism in relation to his wife.

Source: Studio Monitor – 12.11.2022

99. Alleged corruption in the process of privatization of state property in Samtskhe-Javakheti

In 2013-2021, individuals affiliated with the Georgian Dream and holding positions in Samtskhe-Javakheti, as well as their family members, a total of 39 entities, purchased 129,775 sq m of land put up for auction at 54 electronic auctions for 7,725,685 GEL. Among them, 75% of the alienated land (97,417 sq m) was sold without competition, in just one bid, for 2,938,300 GEL. In addition, 8 entities received 378,223 sq m of land for 1,458,387 GEL, through direct sale.

A journalistic investigation by TV Pirveli also discusses Bidzina Ivanishvili’s seizure of state lands in the Abastumani township through intimidation, racketeering, and fictitious persons. For example, pensioner Marina Kbilashvili, whose son Eldar Kbilashvili is a member of the Adigeni Sakrebulo from the Georgian Dream party, purchased a 5,684 sq. m. plot of land from the state for 568,400 GEL and undertook to invest an additional 5 million GEL. She sold this land to Villa Abastumani LLC, a company associated with Bidzina Ivanishvili, in about a month. The story shows an example when a citizen did not register the plots of land they owned for years and then sold this land to a person associated with Ivanishvili, Demetre Tateshvili.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 09.11.2022; TV Pirveli – 19.11.2022

98. Illegally fenced forest by Bidzina Ivanishvili

Bidzina Ivanishvili’s wife’s company fenced a state-owned forest (125,248 sq m) before transferring it with the right to use, covered it with nets at a height of 25 m, and began construction work before obtaining a permit. The journalistic investigation shows that Ivanishvili’s wife’s company officially received a 49-year lease of the state-owned forest on November 3, 2022, although the forest was already fenced and fenced on October 27. As the story shows, the acting head of the LEPL Forestry Agency learned this information from journalists. The Sachkhere City Hall Architecture Department, which was supposed to issue a construction permit, also does not know anything.

Source: TV Pirveli – 05.11.2022; Netgazeti – 06.11.2022

97. Alleged nepotism in public service

The journalistic investigation shows cases of alleged nepotism when people related to Bidzina Ivanishvili distribute positions in the public service. For example, 1. Tatia Ivanishvili, the granddaughter of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s brother, is employed in the Ministry of Defense; 2. Flora Milorava, the mother of Ivanishvili’s personal bodyguard Irakli Sanikidze, is employed in the Tbilisi City Council. Milorava is also linked to Ekaterine Khvedelidze by Natel-Mironoba. The investigation also shows other suspicious cases.

Source: TV Pirveli – 05.11.2022

96. Suspicious Procurements by Kharagauli City Hall and Sakrebulo

In 2019-2022, within the framework of the Rural Support Program, Kharagauli City Hall signed direct contracts worth 230 thousand GEL with individuals close to the City Hall and Sakrebulo. This process took place without competition and the companies had no experience. Within the framework of the program, Kharagauli City Hall signed contracts with the father of a Sakrebulo member, the son and son-in-law of a Sakrebulo member, and a relative of a City Hall official.

Source: Ai, Fakt / ifact – 01.11.2022

95. Construction permit issued in favor of MP Fridon Injia's son

MP Fridon Injia's son, Ilia Injia, purchased a 17,000 sq m plot of land from the state at an auction in 2016 for 5 million GEL, with the obligation to build a multifunctional hotel and arrange a recreational area. However, he later decided to build a 32-story residential building, for which the Tbilisi City Hall radically changed the conclusion within 4 months, as a result, the recreational zone was changed to a construction zone and consent was granted.

Source: TV Pirveli – 29.10.2022

94. Suspicious procurements of a company connected to former and current high-ranking officials of the Kobuleti City Hall

The company “Zoma”, which is connected to former and current high-ranking officials of the Kobuleti City Hall, wins the procurements of the Kobuleti Municipality without competition. The company’s director – Otar Zoidze was the head of the municipal LLC “Kobuleti Tskalki”, and the deputy director – Gia Goliadze’s wife, Pati Jincharadze, is the head of the Finance Department of the Kobuleti City Hall.

In all (18) tenders that ended with the victory of “Zoma”, the purchaser is the Kobuleti Municipality. Of this, the company received 847,974 GEL, including 634,415 GEL (75%) under non-competitive conditions. Kobuleti Municipality and municipal legal entities signed 25 simplified procurement agreements worth 469,865 GEL with the company.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 26.10.2022

93. Alleged case of evasion of punishment by Sozar Subari

According to a journalistic investigation, in 2015, when Sozar Subari was the Minister of Corrections and Probation, he was driving a company car while intoxicated and caused a traffic accident, killing one person. The driver officially took responsibility for the traffic accident, although he was not punished for this crime either. According to the story, shortly after the incident, the driver purchased an apartment in the center of Tbilisi for $190,000, and the loan was provided by Cartu Bank. The deceased's wife admits to journalists that she was paid 20,000 GEL not to file a complaint.

Source: TV Pirveli – 15.10.2022

92. How the mayor's representative came to own the lands of the village of Duzagrama

According to a journalistic investigation, Mukhtar Ismailov, who has been the mayor's representative in the village of Duzagrama since 2007, has been owning arable land through abuse of power and falsification of documents. Investigative journalists have deciphered a fraudulent scheme by which Ismailov registers plots (about 90 hectares) for his family members or trusted persons, and then uses them for personal purposes.

Source: Ai, Fakt / ifact – 06.10.2022; OCCRP – 16.11.2022

91. Economic interests of MP Viktor Japaridze and participation of companies related to him in state procurement

Viktor Japaridze and his family members are shareholders in a total of 11 different companies, owning a number of properties in Mestia and Tbilisi, including two hotels. Companies related to Japaridze received GEL 7,775,565 from state procurement. Also, a study published in 2021 revealed that Viktor Japaridze’s company also received a subsidy of GEL 528,150 from the state budget.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 05.10.2022, 04.03.2021; 03.07.2020

90. Khelvachauri Mayor’s Unauthorized Construction and Deficiencies in His Property Declarations

Khelvachauri Municipality Mayor Zaza Diasamidze began construction of a house in Batumi without a permit, and did not reflect the construction costs in his property declaration. The mayor also did not indicate the income received from the sale of his land plot (39,000 USD) in his declaration.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 31.08.2022

89. 14 years of majoritarianism: tens of millions of GEL from state procurements to Anzor Bolkvadze’s family and relatives

The income of relatives and close circle of Anzor Bolkvadze, a member of the Georgian Parliament, elected as a majoritarian from the mountainous Adjara region from the Georgian Dream party, from tenders in 2011–2021 reached 13,647,191 GEL. Anzor Bolkvadze’s relative’s company, Roda LLC, received 4,891,873 GEL from state procurements, of which 53% (2,611,087 GEL) is income received from simplified procurements, non-competitive tenders and disqualification of competitors.

Source: "Transparency International - Georgia" – 15.08.2022; 04.08.2021; 24.06.2020

88. Unjustified wealth of judges and clan rule

According to a joint investigation by Studio Monitor and the international network of investigative journalists OCCRP, influential leaders of the judiciary – Levan Murusidze and Mikheil Chinchaladze – are hiding expensive property. In particular, Levan Murusidze did not indicate in his declaration the person permanently living with him (a person in an unregistered marriage) Lela Chania, and accordingly, the real estate in his name. Mikheil Chinchaladze did not indicate in his declaration the apartments and garages in the center of Tbilisi, on Vera Street, which are registered in the name of his aunt.

Source: Studio Monitor – 07.08.2022; OCCRP – 07.08.2022

87. “How the Prosecutor’s Office is Taking Land from Sairme Residents”

The journalistic investigation reports that the Prosecutor’s Office in Sairme is illegally accusing 20 families of appropriating land plots in favor of the business interests of Temur Kokhodze, a businessman close to the government and the owner of the Sairme resort. Temur Kokhodze’s companies (Tegeta Motors) receive millions of lari in state orders every year and are donors to the Georgian Dream party. Kokhodze himself denies the accusation. According to the investigation, Baghdati Municipality Mayor Kakha Enukidze participated in negotiations with locals in favor of Kokhodze’s interests.

Transparency International Georgia wrote in 2012 that in 2010, about 20 local entrepreneurs in the resort of Sairme donated real estate to the state over the course of a week, the owner of which was later registered as the company of majoritarian MP Temur Kokhodze. Kokhodze denied any connection with the forced land concessions at the time. Kokhodze and his companies were major financiers of the National Movement at that time.

Source: Radio Liberty – 22.07.2022; “Transparency International - Georgia” – 31.10.2012

86. Mobilizing Voters’ Votes in Favor of the Ruling Party through Illegal Means

A joint study by “Transparency International - Georgia” and “ISFED” revealed a large-scale scheme of mobilizing voters’ votes in favor of the ruling party through illegal means, which highly likely confirms the use of state agencies (including law enforcement agencies) for election/party purposes. These agencies allegedly collected personal information about employees of budgetary organizations and other citizens, presumably with the aim of putting pressure on them in the future. In addition, in exchange for support in the elections, citizens were provided with pre-requested benefits and other types of benefits through various state agencies.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia”; International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) – 21.07.2022

85. Georgian Dream-affiliated company wins tenders in Imereti

A Georgian Dream-affiliated company, Borani LLC, wins tenders in Zestaponi, Terjola and Baghdati municipalities. The company, whose shareholders are donors to the ruling party and which belongs to the family of Terjola Sakrebulo Deputy Chairperson Nino Chkhikvadze, received tenders and simplified procurements worth 34,970,860 GEL from 2013 to July 12, 2022.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 20.07.2022

84. Alleged corrupt deals between officials and clergy

A journalistic investigation, allegedly based on secret wiretapping documents leaked from the State Security Service, describes how specific high-ranking clergy, with the help of high-ranking officials and in exchange for compensation, managed to obtain plea bargains or early release of persons accused of serious crimes. The investigation describes eight cases and mentions the names of the following officials: former Minister of Justice Tea Tsulukiani, former Deputy Minister of Justice Aleksandre Tabatadze, Prosecutor General Irakli Shotadze, and former Minister of Economy Dimitri Kumsishvili.

Source: Studio Monitor – 14.05.2022

83. Alleged political corruption related to MP Giorgi Volski

According to a journalistic investigation, the companies of Amiran Manjavidze, a classmate and friend of MP Giorgi (Gia) Volski, are allegedly winning customized state tenders. One of Manjavidze’s companies was blacklisted for non-compliance with tender conditions, after which he registered a new company. Since the new company was inexperienced, the new tender conditions no longer required 10 years of experience, as was the case in previous cases. Giorgi Volski’s wife is employed by one of Manjavidze’s companies.

Source: TV Pirveli – 14.05.2022; Mountain News – 12.02.2022

82. The case of the “revolving door” and possible corruption in Borjomi Municipality

The blog discusses the case of the “revolving door” and possible corruption in Borjomi Municipality. After being appointed to the Borjomi City Council in 2018, Firan Gogichashvili gave away LLC “Construction and Design” free of charge, and after the expiration of his term in office, in 2022, the now former MP took the company back. The research found that in 2018-2021, LLC “Construction and Design” and individual entrepreneur Vasil Mchedlidze received 2,203,460 GEL from 52 state procurements of Borjomi Municipality.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 06.05.2022

81. Former Senaki City Council Member Gave Away Company and Wins Tenders Again

In February 2021, Transparency International Georgia wrote about the procurements of former Senaki City Council member Dato Adamia and his company. It was after the publication of this research that Adamia gave away a company with a procurement history of up to 7 million GEL, Dagi LLC, free of charge. As a result, the company was renamed Menati LLC, and the company’s legal address was also changed. After the change, the company received a contract worth 1,389,507 GEL through Senaki Municipal Procurement. Five out of six tenders and both simplified procurements were awarded to Menati when Adamia was still a member of the city council. Dato Adamia is allegedly trying to hide his connection with both the company and his involvement in the procurements.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 06.04.2022; 17.02.2021

80. Tbilisi City Hall’s alleged issuance of illegal construction permits

The journalistic investigation discusses the alleged issuance of illegal construction permits by the Tbilisi City Hall’s Architecture Department to Konstantine Morgoshia, one of the leaders of the ultra-right group Alt-Info and the Conservative Movement/Alt Info party, and his brother Giorgi Morgoshia, who were able to obtain previously fraudulent construction permits. In the SSU recordings released in 2021, Sandro Bregadze, the leader of another ultra-right group, says that Kakha Kaladze twice granted illegal construction permits to Konstantine Morgoshia.

Source: Studio Monitor – 03.04.2022

79. Suspicious procurements of Chkhorotsku Municipality

Chkhorotsku City Hall signed a simplified procurement contract worth 207,197 GEL with the two-month-old LLC “Salome 92”. The owners of the company are a father and son, Salome and Jambul Papavs, associated with the Georgian Dream. In Chkhorotsku, they have received municipal procurements worth a total of 1,080,842 GEL since 2012.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 31.03.2022

78. Tskaltubo City Council Member’s Companies Received 63 Million Lari in State Procurement

Tskaltubo City Council Member Jeyran Omanadze’s companies, J&J LLC and Rostverk LLC, have received a total of 63,039,857 Lari through 100 tenders and 11 simplified procurements since 2013. Jeyran Omanadze is also a political donor; he and his company Rostverk donated 135,000 Lari to the Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party in 2017-2021.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 24.03.2022

77. Suspicious participation of companies related to former Batumi City Council member in Adjara municipal procurement

The companies “Acharganateba” and “Ganateba”, owned by the family of former Batumi City Council member Irakli Topuridze from “Georgian Dream”, received 66,844,339 GEL from state procurements in 2011-2022. The companies received 91% of this amount without competition or as a result of the disqualification of competitors.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 22.03.2022; 25.11.2019

76. Alleged corruption facts in Borjomi Municipality state procurement

My Town LLC, associated with the former head of the Borjomi City Hall Infrastructure Service, and individual entrepreneur Shorena Tabagari received 4,117,864 GEL through 68 state procurements in 2014-2021; of which 2,162,992 GEL (52% of the total amount) without competition and through disqualification of competitors.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 18.03.2022

75. LLC “Ili Group” violates multi-million dollar contract and wins new tenders

The journalistic investigation is about LLC “Ili Group”, which is allegedly protected by the Deputy Head of the State Security Service Giga Nikoleishvili. Individuals associated with the company are major donors to the ruling party (totaling 350,000 GEL). The company easily wins multi-million dollar tenders across the country (totaling more than 123 million GEL), despite not fulfilling its obligations; for example: according to one journalistic investigation, the company violated the contract for feeding prisoners 29 times, although it was neither terminated nor blacklisted. The company soon won an additional 10 million GEL state tender.

Source: Radio Liberty – 07.02.2022; 17.12.2021

74. Suspicious transfer of forest to a company headed by the wife of former Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania

According to a journalistic investigation, the wife of former Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania was appointed as the manager of the company that 2 months earlier, a few days after its establishment, won an uncompetitive auction, on the basis of which it received a 10-hectare plot of land in the tourist-attractive area of ​​the Tbilisi National Park for management for a period of 40 years.

Source: Netgazeti – 28.01.2022

73. State property was transferred cheaply to the company of Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze’s mother

The journalistic investigation discusses how the Tbilisi City Hall sold a territory located in the recreational zone in Kiketi without any investment obligations much cheaper than it was estimated, to the company “Kiketi Development” LLC, one of the shareholders of which is the mother of Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze, Marine Samsonashvili. The company’s signatory to the purchase agreement with the National Agency for State Property is Galaktion Buadze, who worked as the director of the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia in 2016-2018, and Juansher Burchuladze was his first deputy.

Source: Saturday Formula – 22.01.2022

72. Prime Minister Gharibashvili’s alleged abuse of power to appropriate state property

According to a journalistic investigation, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili allegedly abused his power to transfer a forest area of ​​up to 6 thousand square meters adjacent to his house in Bakuriani to his wife, Nunu Tamazashvili, for use for 49 years. Approximately 1 year after the forest was deeded, the territory has been fenced with barbed wire, contrary to the requirements of the contract.

Source: TV Pirveli – 22.01.2022; 11.02.2023

71. Suspicious transfer of forest to a relative of Member of Parliament Nino Tsilosani

According to a journalistic investigation, an 8-hectare forest located in Kvareli was transferred to the company “Wine Road” LLC, owned by Omar Khatiashvili, son-in-law of Member of Parliament and former Chairwoman of the Committee on Environment Protection and Natural Resources Nino Tsilosani. Omar Khatiashvili is the husband of Nino Tsilosani’s cousin and business partner Gvantsa Tsilosani.

Source: Studio Monitor – 22.01.2022

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2021

70. Companies of “Dream” donors and officials receive subsidies from state programs in Samtskhe-Javakheti

In Samtskhe-Javakheti, companies of “Georgian Dream” members and donors, as well as family members of current and former officials, receive subsidies and state procurements from the state program. In 2018-2020, 17 such entities received a total of approximately 2,240,794 GEL under the “Make Georgia” program, which is a third of the amount spent in the region under the program. Among them, 9 entities received 4,733,891 GEL through state procurements at various times, and 7 donated a total of 594,400 GEL to “Georgian Dream”.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 17.12.2021

69. Alleged Corruption Case in Court

The journalistic investigation describes the failure of the judicial reform in Georgia and its consequences. As an example, an interview with Ronald Waldman, head of the Swiss investor Basel LLC, is shown, who states that: “Specific high-ranking officials demanded that we pay millions of GEL so that our case could continue and be finally resolved. Because of this, we had to involve the embassies of Switzerland and other countries in the case so that we would not have to pay bribes to continue the case.”

Source: Studio Monitor – 04.12.2021

68. Unsubstantiated property of the Prosecutor General and his deputies

The journalistic investigation shows the property registered in the names of the Prosecutor General, Irakli Shotadze, and his wife. Shotadze did not indicate in his declaration the expenses incurred for the renovation and arrangement of an apartment in Tbilisi, which far exceed his official income. In addition, the construction permit issued on the land plot in the name of Shotadze’s wife in Tsavkisi states that the Prosecutor General intends to build an expensive private house. The investigative journalists also counted the properties of Deputy Prosecutors General Giorgi Gabitashvili and Giorgi Badashvili, the value of which also exceeds their official remuneration.

Source: Main Channel – 15.05.2021; TV Pirveli – 27.11.2021

67. Alleged influence peddling in favor of clergy

The journalistic investigation discusses 4 cases where influential clergy allegedly used their connections with high-ranking officials to obtain various corrupt benefits: 1. Judge Levan Murusidze’s assistance to Anton Bulukhia; 2. Tbilisi Deputy Mayor Irakli Bendeliani’s assistance to Archpriest Giorgi Tatunashvili in obtaining a construction permit; 3. MPs Sozar Subari and Irakli Kadagishvili’s assistance to Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze in resolving problems related to his son’s state tenders; 4. Former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kakha Sabanadze and Samtskhe-Javakheti Governor Besik Amiranashvili’s assistance to Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuashvili.

Source: Studio Monitor – 23.10.2021; Here’s the Fact / iFact – 10.05.2022

66. Alleged attempt to exert undue influence on court decisions

According to a journalistic investigation, there are allegedly secret recordings leaked from the State Security Service, which show that Georgian Dream MPs are ordering court decisions that are beneficial to them over the phone. As the story shows, Georgian Dream MPs Irakli Kovzanadze and Paata Kvizhinadze, with the help of their colleague, now former MP Vano Zardiashvili, are influencing the final court decisions. MP Mamuka Mdinaradze is also likely to have considerable influence in this process.

Source: TV Pirveli – 25.09.2021; Transparency International Georgia – 27.09.2021

65. Alleged case of coercion of political donations

According to a media report based on an anonymous source, the regional governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti, the regional heads of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance instructed local businessmen to make financial donations in favor of the ruling party. Transparency International Georgia verified the data and confirmed the existence of unusually concentrated donations from Samtskhe-Javakheti to the ruling party in a short period of time (87 individuals and 5 legal entities donated a total of 714,000 GEL between August 2 and 16).

Source: Main Channel – 22.08.2021; Transparency International Georgia – 26.08.2021

64. Tender announced by Georgian Railways restricts competition

JSC Georgian Railways announced a tender worth 52.8 million GEL for the purchase of main rails and requested certificates from suppliers specified by the Eurasian Customs Union established by Russia. Only one company, Uni-2 LLC, submitted a proposal. The participation of only one company in the 52.8 million GEL tender raises doubts as to whether we are dealing with a so-called “tailored” tender for a specific supplier.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 05.08.2021

63. Fish Processing Plants in Poti – Political Connections and Environmental Problems

Environmental problems in Poti are related to fish processing companies whose owners are former and current high-ranking officials, individuals close to the government, who have made political donations of 783,100 GEL and are financed from the state subsidy program.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 23.07.2021

62. Land in Ninotsminda Central Park was registered as property of individuals connected to the government

The park in the center of Ninotsminda, which was a public space, was gradually registered as private property. It is noteworthy that 2,840 sq.m. The landowners were current and former high-ranking officials of the local government, as well as their family members, people close to them, and representatives of companies with which, for many years, only the Ninotsminda City Hall and its legal entities have been directly purchasing land.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 08.07.2021

61. Privileges for Bidzina Ivanishvili’s relatives

The journalistic investigation discusses the possible conflict of interest of the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Yuri Nozadze. In particular, as a result of the possible use of family ties for the projects of his brother’s companies (a pig farm in Racha, a brick factory in Kaspi, and a ham production facility in Racha), funds transferred from the state budget, the Partnership Fund, and the State Enterprise for Production in Georgia, and the forgiveness of personal fines for unfulfilled obligations.

Source: Studio Monitor – 26.06.2021

60. The “Revolving Door” Case in Senaki Municipality

Nana Zarandia, since 2014, was the head of the legal and then administrative department of the Senaki City Hall. On February 8, 2019, Zarandia left the City Hall and was appointed director of JSC “Archeopolis”, after which “Archeopolis” received 6 tenders and 1 simplified procurement worth 6,054,373 GEL from the Senaki City Hall. Since June 2020, Zarandia has returned as the head of the City Hall administration, and “Archeopolis” has won two tenders of the Senaki Municipality, with the total value of the contracts being 3,874,513 GEL.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 25.06.2021

59. Economic interests of former Georgian parliament member Jumber Izoria in Chkhorotskhu

In Chkhorotskhu, the technical inspection of vehicles is carried out by the family company “Togeni” of former Georgian Dream MP Jumber Izoria. Municipal procurement of vehicle repairs and spare parts is won by Jumber Izoria’s friend, Tsabu Gogua. He has received tenders and simplified procurements worth a total of 257,987 GEL. It is noteworthy that out of the 13 tenders won by Tsabu Gogua, in 12 cases he had no competitors, and in one case he received a contract at the expense of disqualifying a competitor who had offered a lower price.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 24.06.2021

58. Individuals convicted of corruption in Samtskhe-Javakheti receive state procurements

Four individuals convicted for violations identified in Samtskhe-Javakheti state procurements and embezzlement of budget funds: Nodar Balakhashvili, Tamaz Petashvili, Davit Chachanidze and Guram Partsakhashvili received 7,442,197 GEL from 80 state procurements in 2014-2021

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 18.06.2021

57. Suspicious participation of individuals related to the mayor of Chkhorotsku in local procurements

Chkhorotsku local tenders in the village of Khabumeshi mayor The brother and father of the representative, Nestan Karchava, are winning under dubious circumstances (disqualification of competitors and change in the contract value). The Karchavas are also close to the mayor of Chkhorotsku, Dato Gogua. Since 2011, they have received tenders and simplified procurements worth 3,377,519 GEL.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 24.05.2021

56. After being involved in Bidzina Ivanishvili’s projects, the company wins multi-million tenders under dubious circumstances

In 2018, after the owner of Arali LLC (who was previously found guilty of embezzling funds from state procurements) sold land in Abastumani to Bidzina Ivanishvili to build his own house and became involved in the implementation of projects funded by the Cartu Foundation, the company began receiving multi-million contracts from state procurements. If the company had previously received 51.5 million GEL over 7 years, in the next two and a half years it won contracts worth 125.4 million GEL. The company won a significant part of the tenders based on the disqualification of competitors.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 22.05.2021

55. Suspicious schemes of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s nephew and his business partner

According to a journalistic investigation, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s nephew Emzar Ivanishvili and his business partner Grigol Khurtsidze used their connections and influence to obtain dubious permits for three different construction projects.

Source: Studio Monitor – 15.05.2021

54. Conflict of interest of Kutaisi Deputy Mayor

A business partner of Kutaisi Deputy Mayor Yuza Ugulava received 5 tenders from the Kutaisi City Hall (totaling 294,545 GEL) mostly without competition. The head of the tender commission was Yuza Ugulava himself; He did not avoid conflicts of interest.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 13.05.2021

53. Allegations of abuse of power and corruption in the process of issuing construction permits near Lake Lisi

According to a journalistic investigation, high-ranking officials (e.g., Competition Agency Chairman Irakli Lekvinadze and Deputy Minister of Finance Mikheil Dundua) and a donor to the Georgian Dream party (Lisi Hills LLC shareholder Mikheil Japaridze) are easily obtaining construction permits in the area surrounding Lake Lisi, while local residents face bureaucratic barriers.

Source: Studio Monitor – 17.04.2021

52. Alleged interference of Georgian Dream MP in ongoing investigation

A journalistic investigation suspects that Georgian Dream MP Isko Daseni is using his influence to obstruct the ongoing investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office against VIP Trade LLC. VIP Trade LLC, which citizens accuse of running a fraudulent currency trading scheme, was previously owned by Isko Daseni’s two sons.

Source: Studio Monitor – 03.04.2021

51. Conflict of Interest of the Chairman of the Batumi City Council Commission

The former company of the Chairman of the Batumi City Council Commission on Education and Culture, Irakli Pataridze, “Trading Service”, a share of which he gave to his son-in-law, Gocha Abuselidze, receives state procurement contracts from the Batumi City Hall’s A(A)I(P)s, which Pataridze is responsible for controlling.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 19.03.2021

50. Corruption Risks in Kobuleti Municipality’s Non-Competitive Procurement

After Badri Romanadze, Head of the Kobuleti Municipality Architecture Service (2011-2014), took the position of Director at Georgian Stone LLC, the company received 24.6 million GEL from Kobuleti Municipality’s procurements under dubious circumstances (disqualification of competitors and unjustified changes to concluded contracts) over the next 6 years.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 03.02.2021; 23.04.2020

49. Alleged corruption in the government program for grape subsidies

According to a journalistic investigation, changes were made to the government program for grape subsidies in order to align the program with the interests of the companies that donate to the ruling party and companies connected to Bidzina Ivanishvili (through his brother, Aleksandre Ivanishvili, and cousin, Ucha Mamatsashvili).

Source: Studio Monitor – 23.01.2021

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2020

48. Poti Mayor’s Business Partner Receives Simplified Procurement

After Gocha Kurdgelia was elected as Poti Mayor in 2017, his business partner and friend Ramaz Gujabidze’s company, “Khalibi” LLC, began receiving significantly more simplified contracts from Poti municipal legal entities than in previous years, raising questions about corruption.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 07.12.2020

47. Case of Alleged Undue Influence on the Second Instance Court

A journalistic investigation describes a case of possible undue influence on the second instance court, which changed its initial decision, which satisfied the appeal of German investor Richard Saler against the Joint Stock Company “Bank of Georgia”. The case concerns the embezzlement of $7 million by Saler’s local partner, Iberia Business Group, headed by former Sports Minister Tariel Khechikashvili. The journalistic investigation mentions that the chairman of the court session, Mzia Todua, previously headed the legal department of Cartu Bank, a joint-stock company (owned by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s family).

Source: Studio Monitor – 17.10.2020

46. Signs of corruption in municipal procurements in Shida Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti

The companies of former high-ranking officials of Shida Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti (Avtandil Kachkachashvili and Giorgi Baliashvili) and major donors to the Georgian Dream (Nugzar and Nukri Abalaki) – LLC “Road Construction Department N1” and LLC “Road Construction Department N2” – received procurements worth more than 200 million GEL in 2011-2020, mostly without competition.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 07.10.2020

45. Signs of Corruption in Kakheti Municipal Procurement

Analysis of procurement in 8 municipalities of Kakheti (over 167 million GEL in 2013-2020) revealed that tenders and simplified procurements are often (in 17 cases out of 58 subjects) received by companies related to current and former officials. 32 out of 52 LLCs began receiving simplified procurements and non-competitive tenders soon after their establishment, and in some cases within a few days.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 06.10.2020

44. Law enforcement agencies’ inaction towards a businessman linked to the ruling party

A journalistic investigation describes an alleged case of pressure on the private company Iberia LLC by business partners of Giorgi Kapanadze, a businessman close to the ruling party. According to the journalistic investigation, law enforcement agencies are showing indifference towards the company’s problems.

Source: Radio Liberty – 01.10.2020

43. Tbilisi City Hall’s alleged targeting of a large tender for a specific company

A journalistic investigation states that Tbilisi City Hall announced a tender worth 30 million GEL for the purchase of minibuses and, by imposing restrictive tender requirements, did not allow qualified bidders to participate in it, as a result of which the tender was won by a company that donated to the ruling party.

Source: Radio Liberty – 13.09.2020

42. Alleged corruption/revolving door case involving former officials receiving large state contracts

A journalistic investigation has described how Parvus Group LLC, founded by two former high-ranking officials of the state-owned joint-stock company Georgian State Electrosystem (Sulkhan Zumburidze and Mamuka Papuashvili), shortly after their resignation, received large state contracts, the total value of which amounted to 19 million GEL, without competition and under various dubious circumstances.

Source: Radio Liberty – 18.08.2020

41. Suspicious participation of the television of the deputy chairman of the Ninotsminda Sakrebulo in Ninotsminda municipal procurements

The TV and radio company “Parvana” of the deputy chairman of the Ninotsminda Sakrebulo Konstantin Vardaniani has received 320,645 GEL from the Ninotsminda procurement budget since 2014, after Vardaniani was appointed to the position. After Vardaniani was appointed to the position, “Parvana” also received 273 sq. m. of space in Ninotsminda free of charge from the city hall.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 17.07.2020

40. Corruption Risks in Public Procurement During the State of Emergency

Transparency International Georgia examined public procurement during the state of emergency (from March 21 to May 22, 2020) and identified 21 specific procurements where there is a connection between donors to the ruling party and contracts won. Among them are 2 procurements where the companies signed contracts within a few days of the donation. These companies are Kvareli Eden LLC and K and Georgian Spirit LLC.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 07.07.2020

39. Suspicious enrichment of companies linked to the head of the State Security Service

A journalistic investigation describes how state contracts worth more than 100 million GEL were awarded to companies donating to the ruling party, which are connected to Grigol Liluashvili’s friend and relative, Bichiko Paikidze. Liluashvili is the head of the State Security Service and the former head of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Cartu Group.

Source: Studio Monitor – 27.06.2020

38. Bidzina Ivanishvili’s relative’s suspicious participation in state procurement

Bidzina Ivanishvili’s relative Murman Togonidze (LLC “Msheninvest” and individual entrepreneur) has received 16,395,501 GEL from the budgets of individual municipalities of Imereti since 2014. He received the most purchases from Sachkhere Municipality.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 18.06.2020

37. Signs of corruption in Tbilisi City Hall’s New Year’s procurements

Signs of rigged tenders and corruption were identified in the procurements carried out by Tbilisi City Hall for New Year’s events in 2019 (6.6 million GEL). There is a suspicion that the New Year purchases are tailored to the Italian company IDO SRL, which has been receiving state contracts without competition for years.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 06.06.2020

36. Business interests of Giorgi Zedelashvili’s family members in the construction of hydroelectric power plants and roads

The circumstances surrounding the construction of two hydroelectric power plants in Kakheti raise suspicions that favorable conditions may have been artificially created for companies associated with Giorgi Zedelashvili (former First Deputy Secretary of the State Security and Crisis Management Council).

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 28.05.2020

35. Suspicious participation of companies linked to officials in municipal procurement in Samtskhe-Javakheti

After the election of Akhaltsikhe Mayor Zaza Melikidze, his brother Tamaz Melikidze (LLC “Nukia”) and his sister-in-law Nana Maisuradze (LLC “House of Virtues”) have been winning tenders in Akhaltsikhe municipality. After the election of Aspindza City Council Chairman Mamuka Melikidze, his brother Malkhaz Melikidze (LLC “XXI Century”) has started winning tenders in Aspindza municipality.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 08.05.2020

34. Alleged monopolization of the re-export market with the participation of high-ranking officials

A journalistic investigation describes how transit transport companies from Turkey through Georgia are extorting money for the benefit of a Russian businessman, Felix Khudoev. The journalistic investigation suspects that this is being carried out with the help of the Revenue Service and other high-ranking government officials, who are creating artificial barriers for these companies on the Georgian-Turkish border.

Source: Netgazeti – 28.04.2020

33. Alleged Illegal Enrichment of Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili

A journalistic investigation states that the current Prime Minister (and former Minister of Defense and Internal Affairs), Irakli Gharibashvili, did not indicate in his property declaration a collection of expensive watches worth more than half a million GEL, which indicates signs of illegal enrichment.

Source: Radio Liberty – 22.04.2020

32. Alleged Case of Favoritism in the “Partnership Fund” Investment Project

A journalistic investigation describes an investment project of dubious profitability of 7 million GEL, financed by the Georgian state “Partnership Fund”, which the company “Global Brand” allegedly received through favoritism. The company is managed by Levan Gachechiladze, who has personal ties to the head of the Partnership Fund, David Saganelidze, and former Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

Source: Studio Monitor – 29.02.2020

31. Alexander Chikaidze’s suspicious enrichment

Former Minister of Internal Affairs Alexander Chikaidze managed to acquire significant property in a short time after leaving public service, which was accompanied by several suspicious circumstances.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 28.02.2020

30. Suspicious participation of Giorgi Zedelashvili’s mother’s company in state procurement

The company of the mother of Giorgi Zedelashvili, former First Deputy Secretary of the State Security and Crisis Management Council, “Road Construction and Repair Company Serpentine” LLC, began winning large tenders after 2013 (more than 105 million in the Kakheti region alone). Among the suspicious circumstances are: disqualification of competitors, terminated tenders, non-competitive tenders.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 17.02.2020

29. Suspicious participation of companies related to former MP Enzel Mkoyan in state procurement

Three companies of the sons, brother and uncle of former majoritarian MP from Akhalkalaki-Ninotsminda Enzel Mkoyan received 2,312,278 GEL from the budget for fuel purchases in Javakheti in 2010-2019. Enzel Mkoyan himself purchased fuel for his majoritarian bureau only from the family company.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 30.01.2020

28. Alleged organization of a privatization auction of state-owned real estate

The journalistic investigation describes how a state-owned historical building and the surrounding land plot were privatized by a company whose registration was carried out only two hours before the announcement of the privatization auction, which indicates the organization of a privatization auction.

Source: Business Media Georgia (BMG) – 17.01.2020

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2019

27. Suspicious participation of the business partner of the chairman of the Sagarejo Sakrebulo in municipal procurement

The business partner of the chairman of the Sagarejo Sakrebulo, Otar Chalatashvili, Otar Buzariashvili (LLC “New Company 2018”) received 1.4 million GEL from the procurements of the Sagarejo Municipality, of which 1,336,748 were simplified procurements.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 16.12.2019

26. Signs of corruption in the procurements of the Sighnaghi Municipality

Ivane Mirianashvili has been the chairman of the Georgian Dream faction of the Sighnaghi Municipality Sakrebulo since 2017. The companies of his son Davit Mirianashvili and his close associates (Sevoni LLC, M.S. Msheni LLC, Inter Plus LLC, Orba 7 LLC, TNC LLC and Tsotne LLC) received 5,375,427.64 GEL in purchases in 2013-2019.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 27.11.2019

25. Alleged corruption in the process of meat procurement by the Ministry of Defense

The journalistic investigation describes how the Ministry of Defense replaced the purchase of locally produced meat with imported meat, after which the sole supplier of meat became a company fully owned by the daughter of the former member of parliament (from the Georgian Dream party), Goderdzi Bukia. The journalistic investigation also made serious allegations regarding the quality of the meat.

Source: Studio Monitor – 17.11.2019

24. Suspicious participation of Akhaltsikhe Mayor’s Advisor in municipal procurement

The company “Mshenebeli 2004” of Akhaltsikhe Mayor Zaza Melikidze’s advisor (on infrastructure issues) Gelvasi Geladze wins the tenders of Akhaltsikhe municipalities without competition. Gelvasi Geladze was simultaneously a member of the tender and acceptance commissions (which he remains to this day), a supervisor of ongoing projects, and a work executor.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 21.10.2019

23. Suspicious participation of the business partner of the Tsalenjikha City Council Chairman in municipal procurement

After assuming the position of the chairman of the Tsalenjikha City Council, Temur Ghvinjilia’s business partner Bagrat Ghvinjilia (LLC “Tsalenjikha Road Department”) wins tenders (over 5 million GEL) announced by the Tsalenjikha Municipality without competition.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 01.10.2019

22. Suspicious participation of companies related to former MP Ioseb Makrakhidze in state procurement

In tenders, companies related to Makrakhidze and his family members (LLC “Ibolia”, daughter Ofelia Makrakhidze – LLC “Shara”, brother Aleksandre Markakhidze – LLC “Arqmshenstudia 2002”) generally won without competition, and the buyers in most cases were Gori and other municipalities of Shida Kartli.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 02.09.2019

21. Suspicious participation of Akhaltsikhe Mayor’s companies in municipal procurement

After being elected as Akhaltsikhe Mayor in 2015, Zaza Melikidze’s former and current companies (Meliza LLC and Meskheti XXI LLC) began receiving state procurement from the Akhaltsikhe Municipality.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 15.07.2019

20. Allegations of illegal enrichment of former Deputy Minister of Justice

The journalistic investigation concerns the suspicious enrichment, undeclared assets and expensive real estate of the current Member of Parliament and former Deputy Minister of Justice, Aleksandre Tabatadze.

Source: Rustavi 2 – 11.05.2019

19. Undeclared real estate of high-ranking officials

A journalistic investigation has named three high-ranking officials who did not declare real estate in their property declarations and has indicated signs of receiving unsubstantiated income. These high-ranking officials are: former Minister of Economy and Vice Prime Minister, Dimitri Kumsishvili; Chairman of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal, Mikheil Chinchaladze; and Deputy Minister of Defense, Lela Chikovani.

Source: Studio Monitor – 09.03.2019

18. Tenders won by the director of the Zugdidi Municipal Company

Companies owned by the director of the Zugdidi Municipal Transport, Badri Nemsadze, and his wife, Ekaterine Keburia, are winning tenders in the Zugdidi Municipality.

In total, in 2011-2018, the purchasing organizations signed contracts worth 692,223 GEL with the three companies through tenders (59 tenders worth 567,188 GEL) and direct purchases (125 direct purchases worth 125,035 GEL). In addition, 431,106 GEL were signed when the shareholder/director was Badri Nemsadze or his spouse.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 18.02.2019

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2018

17. Corruption allegations against Bolnisi Mayor

According to a journalistic investigation, relatives and friends of Bolnisi Mayor Davit Sherazadishvili are receiving municipal contracts worth several million GEL without competition. Sherazadishvili has family ties to the former deputy head of the State Security Service, Aleksandre Tabatadze.

Source: Studio Monitor – 15.12.2018

16. Tenders won by the former company of the head of the Supervision Service of the Zugdidi City Hall

The former company of the head of the Supervision and Architecture Service of the Zugdidi City Hall, Lasha Jaiani, “Evromsheni 999”, won 39 tenders in 2016-2018, with a total value of 1,628,151 GEL. The company has also signed a simplified contract with the Zugdidi City Hall worth 29,773 GEL.

Out of the 35 tenders won, Lasha Jaiani was a member of the tender commission in 27 cases, however, he stated by signature that he was not in a conflict of interest with “Euromshen 999” LLC. The company had not previously participated in any state procurement or tender.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 13.12.2018

15. Undeclared expenses for the construction of the Minister of Defense’s houses

In 2013-2018, the then Minister of Defense Levan Izoria built two houses, however, he did not indicate the expenses incurred on these houses in the declaration, violating the law. In addition, the origin of the aforementioned expenses raises questions.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 11.12.2018

14. Possible voter bribery

After the first round of the 2018 presidential elections, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Cartu Foundation promised to write off the debts of 600,000 citizens. This was a clear case of voter bribery and abuse of administrative resources, as the Georgian government was actively involved in the process of fulfilling the promise.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 19.11.2018

13. Unsubstantiated property of the former Chief Prosecutor

While in office, the family of the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia, Otar Partskhaladze, owned 2 real estate properties with a total area of ​​226 sq m. Within a few years of leaving office, their property suddenly increased – up to 24 real estate properties with an area of ​​7,900 sq m are registered in their name.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 09.11.2018

12. Alleged corruption in the Georgian Railways Joint Stock Company in connection with the transportation of oil products to Armenia

A journalistic investigation has suggested that the state-owned Georgian Railways Joint Stock Company concluded an illegal deal with Lukoil Georgia (headed by the former Chief Prosecutor, Otar Partskhaladze), thereby restricting all other companies from transporting oil products to Armenia via Georgia.

Source: Studio Monitor – 20.10.2018

11. Alleged illicit enrichment of MPs and ministers

The journalistic investigation discusses undeclared and/or expensive real estate owned by high-ranking officials, which raises questions about illicit enrichment. The real estate of the following high-ranking officials is being discussed: former Minister of Defense, Levan Izoria; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mikheil Janelidze; Minister of Internal Affairs and former Head of the State Security Service, Vakhtang Gomelauri; Constitutional Court judge and former member of parliament from the Georgian Dream party, Manana Kobakhidze; former Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security, Irakli Sesiashvili; former member of parliament and leader of the Conservatives faction, Zviad Dzidziguri.

Source: Rustavi 2 – 13.10.2018

10. The so-called “Omega Group Case”

According to statements by businessman Zaza Okuashvili and secret audio recordings made public in September 2018, a deal was made between private companies, representatives of various government institutions, and influential individuals associated with the leadership of the ruling party, which involved the use of the power of officials to secure a dominant position for these companies in the tobacco market. The revenues generated as a result of this were distributed between the companies and a group associated with the ruling party. The names of Vice Prime Minister Dimitri Kumsishvili, Minister of Sports Levan Kipiani, former Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze, and ruling party leader Bidzina Ivanishvili were mentioned in the materials.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 26.09.2018

9. Alleged corruption in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

A journalistic investigation describes how a company owned by the brother of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs received a large direct procurement contract from the same ministry on the very next day of the company’s registration. The amount of the said procurement was transferred from the government reserve fund, which is not subject to the requirements of state procurement legislation, on the day the company was registered with the ministry.

Source: Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) – 04.09.2018

8. Alleged Use of Tailored Terms in Public Procurement

In 2013-2018, public agencies mostly purchased Russian-made Niva cars worth up to 3 million GEL from Global Motors Georgia – GMG LLC (whose founder Gocha Rostiashvili is the cousin of Shalva Obgaidze, a member of the Tbilisi City Council from the Georgian Dream party), through non-competitive tenders, allegedly on tailored terms.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 18.07.2018

7. Alleged corruption cases in the Ministries of Infrastructure and Economy

In 2018, the Prosecutor’s Office interrogated two former ministers: former Minister of Economy Dimitri Kumsishvili and former Minister of Infrastructure Zurab Alavidze. The Prosecutor’s Office did not specify what cases were under investigation, although media outlets suggested that Dimitri Kumsishvili was accused of creating favorable conditions for his relatives in various government programs, while Zurab Alavidze was connected to a corruption/“revolving door” case involving the spending of 56 million GEL of state funds by the Roads Department.

Source: Radio Liberty – 18.07.2018

6. Transfer of property to former prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze

In February 2016, the State Audit Office published a report according to which the Tbilisi City Hall illegally transferred property to the company “BSRC-CDG Development” of former Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze, which may have been the result of some corrupt deal.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 28.02.2018

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2017

5. Signs of corruption in the “Zonal Council” of the Tbilisi City Hall

As a result of studying the activities of the Council for the Regulation of the Use and Development of Territories (the so-called “Zonal Council”) of the Tbilisi City Hall in 2014-2017, a number of alleged cases of conflict of interest and corruption were identified.

Source: “Transparency International - Georgia” – 18.10.2017

4. Alleged influence of Otar Danelia in sheep export

The journalistic investigation discusses the alleged illegal influence of the former Minister of Agriculture (currently, Business Ombudsman) Otar Danelia in the Georgian sheep export business. In particular, according to the investigation, the sharp decrease in the number of companies involved in this business was caused not by natural competition, but by the personal ties of the management of the company "Victoria" with Otar Danelia, due to which the company became one of the largest exporters at the expense of competitors. Danelia himself denies the allegations.

Source: Studio Monitor – 27.05.2017

3. Allegations related to the illegal enrichment of the former deputy head of the State Security Service

The journalistic investigation concerns the suspicious enrichment and undeclared property of the former deputy head of the State Security Service, Ioseb Gogashvili.

Source: Rustavi 2 – 23.04.2017

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2016

2. Signs of corruption in the land management process in and around the Tbilisi Botanical Garden

The process of privatizing a 29-hectare land plot in the recreation zone adjacent to the Tbilisi Botanical Garden, as well as issuing a special zoning agreement for the construction of a hotel on this and adjacent land plots, was essentially fictitious and served to legalize a decision made earlier, in an informal setting.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 13.05.2016

1. Signs of corruption in the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection

A study of conflicts of interest and corruption risks in the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection revealed that companies directly or indirectly related to the then Minister and other high-ranking officials of the Ministry often received budget funds/funding from the Ministry, bypassing a competition or tender.

Source: Transparency International Georgia – 06.05.2016