In order to keep voters informed in the run up to the 2020 parliamentary elections, Transparency International Georgia is looking into all of the majoritarian candidates nominated by political parties – specifically their business connections and political donations. While this report focuses on the candidates nominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party, future publications in this series will cover all other political actors.

Transparency International Georgia examined business activities of majoritarian candidates and their family members, participation of their companies in public procurement and privatization of state-owned property (covering the period from 2012 to August 20, 2020), political donations made by these persons and their business partners, and asset declarations of former public officials nominated as candidates.

Key Findings:

• More than half of Georgian Dream majoritarian candidates – 19 out of 30 – are involved in entrepreneurial activities (themselves and/or family members). These 19 people are, in various ways, connected to 186 companies.
• Out of 30 majoritarian candidates, 14 personally made donations to the Georgian Dream in 2012-2020. Their donations to the Georgian Dream amounted to GEL 740,826. These candidates are: Beka Odisharia, Giorgi Volski, Levan Kobiashvili, Gogi Meshveliani, Zaal Dugladze, Samvel Manukian, Gocha Enukidze, Paata Kvizhinadze, Bezhan Tsakadze, Givi Chichinadze, Zaza Lominadze, Irakli Khakhubia, Irakli Chikovani and Anzor Bolkvadze.
• Business partners of the majoritarian candidates involved in entrepreneurial activities have made large political donations, too. Overall, the candidates, their family members, and business partners donated GEL 3,702,826 to the Georgian Dream in 2012-2020.
• The largest donors among the majoritarian candidates (including family members and business partners) are: Gocha Enukidze – GEL 1,254,000; Zaal Dugladze – GEL 990,000; Irakli Khakhubia – GEL 458,000; Davit Songhulashvili – GEL 340,000; and Bezhan Tsakadze – GEL 320,000.
• Companies with links to eight candidates involved in entrepreneurial activities have a history of participating in public procurement. Overall, in 2012-2020, these companies received GEL 4,364,109 through tenders and simplified procurement (GEL 623,450 through tenders; GEL 3,740,659 through simplified procurement).
• 6 majoritarian candidates (Davit Songhulashvili, Beka Odisharia, Zaal Dugladze, Gocha Enukidze, Zaza Lominadze and Irakli Khakhubia) have participated in the privatization of state-owned property: in 2013-2020 they or their companies bought real estate for GEL 758,300 and shares in state-owned enterprises for GEL 2,210,000.
• Two candidates (Davit Songhulashvili and Irakli Khakhubia) are also the beneficiaries of the "Produce in Georgia" state program; companies linked with these candidates have received a certain amount of state co-financing on a total investment of GEL 12,646,900.*
• Six out of 30 candidates are not conducting entrepreneurial activities and have not made political donations. These are Sozar Subari, Nodar Turdzeladze, Davit Sergeenko, Shalva Kereselidze, Zaur Dargali, and Nino Latsabidze.
• Six Georgian Dream candidates running in majoritarian districts have previously donated money to the United National Movement in 2012. These are Beka Odisharia, Davit Songhulashvili, Gocha Enukidze, Zaal Dugladze, Irakli Khakhubia and Anzor Bolkvadze.

Out of 30 candidates running in single-seat district elections, 17 are incumbent or former public officials who submitted their asset declarations in 2019-2020. The following irregularities were identified in the most recent declarations they had filled out:

• Five candidates declared incompletely or did not declare at all the companies that they and/or their family members own: Davit Songhulashvili, Aleksandre Motserelia, Anzor Bolkvadze, Irakli Khakhubia, and Resan Kontselidze.
• In six cases, public officials did not transfer the right to manage the company shares they owned to another person. In addition to the fact that this is a violation of the law, it indicates that these public officials did not give up the management of their shares even formally. These persons are: Levan Kobiashvili, Davit Songhulashvili, Samvel Manukian, Irakli Khakhubia, Gocha Enukidze, and Irakli Kadagishvili.

Note: Transparency International Georgia is unable to check whether the companies mentioned in this study are operational since the information required to do so is a tax secret.

Tbilisi Election Districts:

Beka Odisharia

Candidate running in the Mtatsminda-Krtsanisi single-seat district
Currently: Krtsanisi N7 single-seat district MP

Beka Odisharia is an incumbent MP. He owns 100 percent of shares in Anabazisi, LLC, and 10 percent of shares in Dzveli Dedakalaki, LLC; his wife, Mariam Gamtsemlidze, is an individual entrepreneur. In compliance with the Law on the Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Service, he transferred his shares with the right to manage to another person. However, between November 2016 and September 2017, Beka Odisharia managed the shares himself thus being involved in activities incompatible with his office during this period. He fully declared these companies in the asset declaration he submitted in January 2020.

In 2014, Beka Odisharia bought a 111 sq.m. of land and a 1 attached building (94.04 sq.m.) on the N39 Berdznis street in Tbilisi for 45,000 GEL through an electronic privatization auction. In the auction, which was not accompanied by any investment commitment, Beka Odisharia was the only bidder.

Beka Odisharia made several large political donations in the past. In 2012, he made a donation in the amount of GEL 35,000 to the United National Movement; in 2016, he donated GEL 40,000 to the Georgian Dream; and in 2018 he donated GEL 60,000 to Salome Zurabishvili.

Giorgi Voslki

Candidate running the Didube-Chughureti single-seat district
Currently: Chughureti N14 single-seat district MP

Giorgi Volski is not involved in entrepreneurial activities. At various times, he made donations to Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia and to Salome Zurabishvili. In 2012-2016, he gave GEL 29,841 to Georgian Dream, and, in 2018, donated GEL 4,000 to Salome Zurabishvili.

Kakhi Kakhishvili

Candidate running in the Isani single-seat district
Previously: Former Minister of Prisons; Former Head of the Administration of the Government of Georgia

Kakhi Kakhishvili is a founder of the Kulishvili, Kakhishvili, Bolkvadze Company ‘Consultant’ Solidary Responsibility Company (SRC). Kakhi Kakhishvili declared this SRC in the declaration he submitted in 2019.

Mikheil Kavelashvili

Candidate running in the Nadzaladevi single-seat district
Currently: single-seat district MP

According to the 2019 declaration, Mikheil Kavelashvili owns 24.5 percent of GLT Oil Trade and Invest GmbH, a limited liability company registered in Switzerland. His wife, Tamar Bagrationi, owns 40 percent of shares in Geomaki, LLC.

Levan Kobiashvili

Candidate running in the Gldani single-seat district
Currently: single-seat district MP

Levan Kobiashvili is actively involved in entrepreneurial activities. He owns 10 percent of shares in JSS, LLC, 100 percent shares in K-3, LLC, and 25 percent of shares in Ali Georgian Motors, LLC. Levan Kobiashvili declared these companies in his 2019 declaration, however, in violation of the Law on the Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Service, he did not transfer the right to manage his 100 percent of shares in K-3, LLC and 25 percent of shares in Ali Georgian Motors, LLC to anyone else. At the same time, Levan Kobiashvili transferred the 10 percent of shares in JSS, LLC with the right to manage to another person in October 2017, although he became an MP in November 2016. In 2012, JSS, LLC was awarded one contract worth GEL 6,817 through a simplified procurement procedure from Khashuri Municipality.

In 2016, Levan Kobiashvili made a donation of GEL 55,000 to Georgian Dream; in 2018, he donated GEL 10,000 to Salome Zurabishvili.

Regional Election Districts:

Davit Songhulashvili

Candidate running in the Gurjaani, Sagarejo, Dedoplistskaro, and Sighnaghi single-seat district
Currently: Gurjaani N24 single-seat district MP

MP Davit Songhulashvili and his family (wife – Ketevan Maghularia, father – Bidzina Songhulashvili, and brother – Ioseb Songhulashvili) are actively involved in entrepreneurial activities. In various ways, they are connected to 27 companies:

Davit Songhulashvili provided incomplete information about his wife’s entrepreneurial activities in the 2020 declaration: Kado, LLC and CMC Group, LLC are not mentioned in it. Furthermore, his share in TH Georgia, LLC is indicated in the declaration incorrectly (33 instead of 49 percent). In addition, the declaration indicates that the MP transferred the shares he owned in five companies with the right to manage to another person, however, this information is not reflected in the Public Registry. Apart from these five companies, Davit Songhulashvili did not transfer to other persons the temporary right to manage the shares he owns in the following companies: Intergazi, LLC, Progresi, LLC and TH Georgia, LLC, which is a violation of the Law on the Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Service.

Ceramika El Torrente + LLC has indirectly received a certain amount of government co-funding (state program "Produce in Georgia) for a 10,000,000 GEL investment project. Investment involves the production of ceramic products. The state funding was officially received by a company with a similar name - Ceramica El Torrente LLC, which in 2019 merged with Ceramic El Torrente + LLC. However, David Songhulashvili's father, Bidzina Songhulashvili, owned 17% of the former company even before the merger.

Sonnet Construction LLC has participated in the privatization of state-owned real estate. At the end of 2013, the company purchased 1,078 sq.m. of land with 2 attached buildings located at N1/4 Aleksidze Street, Tbilisi through an electronic auction procedure for 410,000 GEL. The company was the only bidder. The investment condition of the privatization was to move the transformer substation located on privatized land to another location.

Davit Songhulashvili, his family members, and their business partners have made substantial political donations. In 2016-2018, they donated the total of GEL 340,000 to the ruling party. Interestingly, in 2016, Gamsakhurdias 5, LLC, Ioseb Songhulashvili and Nukri Lipartashvili donated money to the Georgian Dream on the same day – 4 October.

In 2012, Davit Songhulashvili personally donated GEL 7,000 to the United National Movement.

Giorgi Khojevanishvili

Candidate running in the Gori and Kaspi single-seat district
Previously: Former Governor of Shida Kartli region

Giorgi Khojevanishvili is involved in entrepreneurial activities. He owns shares in five companies, while his wife is a shareholder of one company and a director of another. In the 2019 declaration that Giorgi Khojevanishvili submitted as a state representative, all of these companies are declared and his shares are transferred to other persons with the right to manage as required by the law.

In 2013-2018, Gazlendi, LLC won eight public tenders for fuel procurement with the total value amounting to GEL 144,596. In 2012-2020, this company was awarded 119 small contracts worth over GEL 18,000 through direct procurement procedure, also for fuel.

Giorgi Gabunia, the owner of 42.5 percent of shares in Norbi, LLC and business partner of Giorgi Khojevanishvili’s wife, donated GEL 59,000 to Georgian Dream in 2016.

Zaal (Zaza) Dugladze

Candidate running in the Khashuri and Kareli single-seat district

Businessman Zaal Dugladze owns shares or holds the director’s post in nine companies. His two brothers, Davit and Giorgi Dugladze, are also involved in entrepreneurial activities. Overall, the Dugladze brothers are connected to 16 companies:

In addition to the companies listed, Dugladze Wine Company, LLC, in turn, owns 100 percent of shares in Vartsikhe Brandy Factory, LLC and Iveria Alco, LLC. Vartsikhe Brandy Factory LLC was a state-owned company until 2013; In December 2013, it was purchased by the Dugladze Wine Company LLC for 2,010,000 GEL (starting price 1,340,000) as a result of an electronic auction.

In 2018, Dugladze Wine Company, LLC won two public tenders: one was small (GEL 3,692), while the value of the other tender announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to procure sparkling wine was GEL 160,768. In addition, in 2016-2019, the company was awarded 17 small simplified procurement contracts with the total value of GEL 16, 945.

Zaal Dugladze, his family members and their business partners have made large political donations. Zaal Dugladze and his brothers alone gave GEL 340,000 to Georgian Dream, while together with business partners, who include Bidzina Ivanishvili’s brother Aleksandre Ivanishvili, the donations amount to GEL 990,000:

In addition, in 2012, Davit Dugladze made a donation in the amount of GEL 60,000 to the United National Movement.

It is noteworthy that Giorgi Dugladze is the chairperson of LEPL National Agency of State Property. In the declaration submitted in June 2020, he indicated all three of his companies, although, contrary to the Law on the Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Service, he did not transfer his shares with the right to manage them to another person. Furthermore, in case of Veni Vidi Georgia, LLC, the information he provided about other shareholders of the company was incomplete (it is precisely the company in which his brothers own shares).

Anton Obolashvili

Candidate running in the Akhaltsikhe, Borjomi, Adigeni and Aspindza single-seat district

Anton Obolashvili is actively involved in entrepreneurial activities. He owns shares or holds a position of a director/representative in eight companies which, in turn, own another six companies:

In 2012, Robert Eloidze, commercial director of Anton Obolashvili’s company Globalpharm, LLC, made a donation in the amount of GEL 50,000 to the National Movement.

Anton Obolashvili’s wife, Lia Obolashvili, is involved in entrepreneurial activities. She owns shares and is a director in five companies:

Gocha Enukidze

Candidate running in the Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Lentekhi and Mestia single-seat district
Currently: Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Lentekhi and Mestia single-seat district MP

Gocha Enukidze is connected to 31 companies in various ways. He is a direct shareholder in five companies:

Gocha Enukidze submitted his last declaration in June 2020, fully declaring all the companies and their subsidiaries that he owns. In compliance with the requirements of the law, Gocha Enukidze also temporarily transferred the shares he owns in all companies with the right of management to another person, with the exception of Academician Egnate Pipia Tbilisi Medical Institute, LLC: in this case the Public Registry found a mistake during the registration and, as a result, Gocha Enukidze formally remains the manager of the shares, which contradicts the requirements of the law.

Ibercompany LLC has participated in the privatization of state-owned real estate. In 2017, through an electronic auction, the company purchased 5,775 sq.m. of land located in the village of Dzegvi, Mtskheta Municipality, for 118,000 GEL. In 2019, the company purchased 195 sq.m. land in Ambrolauri for 10,300 GEL. In both auctions, which had no investment commitment, the company was the only bidder.

In addition to the companies mentioned earlier, Gocha Enukidze is an indirect owner of 14 companies owned by Ibercompany, LLC:

Gocha Enukidze’s daughter, Tinatin Enukidze, is involved in entrepreneurial activities. She owns shares and is a director in 10 companies:

Gocha Enukidze’s wife, Dea Meladze, owns 25 percent of shares in Gama, LLC_^[1] which, according to Gocha Enukidze’s asset declaration, does not perform economic activities.

Gocha Enukidze and his family’s business partners have made large political donations. Gocha Enukidze himself donated GEL 165,000 to Georgian Dream; combined with his family’s business partners, the amount of donations reaches GEL 1,254,000:

Interestingly, prior to 2013, Gocha Enukidze and some of his current business partners made donations to the United National Movement:

Bezhan Tsakadze

Candidate running in the Tkibuli, Terjola, Zestaponi and Baghdati single-seat district

Businessman Bezhan Tsakadze owns nine companies, and his son, Bidzina Tsakadze, is a shareholder in seven companies:

Davit Tatishvili Centre for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, LLC won seven tenders worth GEL 111,339 total announced by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Abkhazia in 2016-2019.

Bezhan Tsakadze, his son, Bidzina Tsakadze, and their business partners have made large political donations. In total, they donated GEL 320,000 to Georgian Dream:

Zaza Lominadze

Candidate running in the Kutaisi single-seat district

Zaza Lominadze owns shares and/or is a director in three companies:

LJ & Co – Centre for Tuberculosis and Infectious Pathologies, LLC is, at the same time, the owner of 95 percent of shares in LJ & Company – Western Georgia Centre for Tuberculosis and Infectious Pathologies, LLC in which the remaining 5 percent are owned by the state. Prior to 2016, this company was state-owned; in February 2016, the government, based on a direct sale (privatisation) decree, transferred it into the ownership of LJ & Co – Centre for Tuberculosis and Infectious Pathologies, LLC for GEL 200,000 on condition that an investment amounting to USD 2m would be made (construction of a hospital in Kutaisi); Zaza Lominadze, who owned 20 percent in the buying company, was at the time a member of Kutaisi City Council.

After the privatisation, in 2016-2020, the company was awarded 28 relatively small direct procurement contracts in the amount of GEL 87,501 in total and one large contract worth GEL 710,000 (medical services related to COVID-19).

Zaza Lominadze donated GEL 875 to Georgian Dream in 2014.

Vasil Chigogidze

Candidate running in the Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti and Chokhatauri single-seat district

Businessman Vasil Chigogidze is connected to 28 companies in various ways. He owns shares and/or is a director in 20 companies:

In addition, four of his companies, in turn, own eight other companies:

In 2016-2020, 624 public schools and museums throughout the country purchased electronic versions of educational documentaries “The Georgian Chronicles with Mariam Lortkipanidze” for GEL 115 (the total amounting to GEL 71,760) through a direct procurement procedure from Caucasus International University, LLC.

Vasil Chigogidze owns 30 percent in Mukha, LLC; his business partner in his company and owner of 40 percent of its shares, Nikoloz Kvezereli, made a donation amounting to GEL 47,000 to Georgian Dream in 2016. Another one of his partners, owner of 40 percent in Sakrkinigzaekspeditsia, LLC, Grigol Mikeladze, donated GEL 55,000 to Georgian Dream in 2016.

Irakli Khakhubia

Candidate running in the Poti, Khobi and Senaki single-seat district
Currently: MP elected from a single-seat district

Irakli Khakhubia and his wife, Maka Khakhubia, own shares in eight companies:

In the most recent declaration that Irakli Khakhubia submitted as an MP, he declared all of the companies mentioned above, however, in violation of the Law on the Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Institutions, he failed to transfer his shares with the temporary right to manage to other persons in the following companies: GCM Service, LLC, Geo Capital Management, LLC and Iceberg Trading, LLC.

Iceberg 2 LLC has received a certain amount of government co-funding (state program "Produce in Georgia) for a 2,646,900 GEL investment project". The investment involves the production of fish oil and fish meal.

In addition to the listed companies, Iceberg 2, LLC, in turn, owns 64 percent in Geofish Company, LLC, 25.28 percent in AGS Group, LLC and 22 percent in Poti 2012, LLC. These connected enterprises are not indicated in Irakli Khakhubia’s declaration in full, which is also a violation of the law.

In 2020, Geofish Company LLC acquired 2 state-owned properties through privatization: 1. 1,300 sq.m. piece of land in the village of Patara Poti, Khobi Municipality for 46,000 GEL; and 2. 5,052 sq.m. piece of land also in the village of Patara Poti, Khobi Municipality for 129,000 GEL. Both procedures were conducted using an electronic auction, although Geofish Company LLC won both auctions without competition. The terms of the auctions did not include any investment commitments.

Irakli Khakhubia and his family’s business partners have made large political donations. In total, Irakli Khakhubia and his business partners have donated GEL 458,000 to Georgian Dream:

It is also interesting that, on 17 August 2016, his business partners, Tengiz Sarishvili and Nikoloz Lataria, and business partners of his wife, Maka Khakhubia – Marina Esebua and Ramaz Gujabidze, made donations of equal amount – GEL 60,000 (the total of GEL 240,000) to Georgian Dream on the same day.

It is noteworthy that, prior to 2013, Irakli Khakhubia as well as his business partners made donations to the United National Movement:

Anzor Bolkvadze

Candidate running in the Khelvachauri, Keda, Shuakhevi and Khulo single-seat district
Currently: Keda, Shuakhevi and Khulo single-seat district MP

Anzor Bolkvadze is not personally involved in entrepreneurial activities, however, his wife, Tina Bolkvadze, and son, Nodar Bolkvadze, own shares in eight companies:

Anzor Bolkvadze submitted his most recent declaration as an MP in May 2020. He did not declare the company BMC whose shares are owned by his son, Nodar Bolkvadze, which is a violation of the law.

Anzor Bolkvadze donated GEL 6,500 to the United National Movement in 2012, and GEL 10,000 to Georgian Dream in 2016.

Aleksandre Motserelia

Candidate running in the Tsalenjikha, Chkhorotsku, Martvili and Abasha single-seat district
Previously: Former Governor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region

Aleksandre Motserelia is involved in entrepreneurial activities. According to the declaration he submitted while holding the office of the state representative, he owns shares in three companies: Kap Georgia, LLC – 49 percent, Aercompany, LLC – 16.34 percent and the company Svet Orechov registered in Slovakia – 49 percent. In compliance with the requirements of the law, Aleksandre Motserelia transferred his shares to another person with the right of management.

Aleksandre Motserelia did not indicate in his declaration that his wife, Lali Khuade, owns 50 percent of shares in each of the two following companies: GGG, LLC and Anamo, LLC, which is a violation of the Law on the Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Service.

Irakli Kadagishvili

Candidate running in the Telavi, Akhmeta, Kvareli and Lagodekhi single-seat district

Previously: Former Governor of Kakheti region

Irakli Kadagishvili owns 15 percent of shares in Geodil, LLC. Starting from 2016, he was the state representative in Kakheti; he declared this company in 2019, although, in violation of the Law on the Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Service, he failed to temporarily transfer his shares with the right to manage to another person.

In 2012, Irakli Kadagishvili made a donation in the amount of GEL 16,000 to Free Democrats.

Samvel Manukian

Candidate running in the Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda single-seat district
Currently: Member of Parliament

Samvel Manukian owns shares in three companies: Grand, LLC – 50 percent, Cristall, LLC – 50 percent, and Geofood, LLC – 50 percent. He is an incumbent MP and has declared the companies in his ownership but, in violation of the requirements of the Law on the Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Service, he did not temporarily transfer his shares with the right to manage to another person.

Samvel Manukian made a donation in the amount of GEL 45,000 to the ruling party in 2016.

Gogi Meshveliani

Candidate running in the Bolnisi, Dmanisi, Tetritskaro and Tsalka Single-Seat District
Currently: Bolnisi single-seat district MP

Gogi Meshveliani is not involved in entrepreneurial activities. In 2016, he donated GEL 20,000 to Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia.

Paata Kvizhinadze

Candidate running in the Sachkhere, Chiatura and Kharagauli Single-Seat District
Currently: Sachkhere single-seat district MP

Paata Kvizhinadze is not involved in entrepreneurial activities. In 2014-2016, he donated GEL 50,000 to Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia.

Irakli Chikovani

Candidate running in the Zugdidi Single-Seat District
Currently: Advisor and Press Speaker of the Prime Minister

Irakli Chikovani is not involved in entrepreneurial activities. In 2012-2016, he donated GEL 27,000 to Free Democrats, in 2012-2014, he donated GEL 21,110 to Georgian Dream.

Givi Tchichinadze

Candidate running in the Samtredia, Tskaltubo, Vani and Khoni Single-Seat District
Currently: Vani and Khoni single-seat district MP

Givi Chichinadze is not involved in entrepreneurial activities. In 2018, he donated GEL 4,000 to Salome Zurabishvili.

Resan Kontselidze

Candidate running in the Batumi single-seat district
Previously: Former deputy director of the Police Department of Adjara

Resan Kontselidze’s wife, Tina Tsivadze, owns 100 percent of Global Rent, LLC and is a director of this company. Resan Kontselidze submitted his last declaration in March 2020, while still holding the office of the deputy director of the Police Department of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. In the declaration, he failed to indicate the company owned by his wife, which is a violation of the Law on the Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Service.

Zaal Mikeladze

Candidate running in the Kobuleti Single-Seat District
Previously: Minister of Health of Adjara

Zaal Mikeladze submitted his last declaration in February 2020, according to which he is a shareholder in Kobuleti Medical Centre, JSC.