On September 17, Eka Gigauri, the Executive Director of "Transparency International - Georgia," was questioned before a magistrate judge in the so-called " face masks case." The questioning was led by the sanctioned prosecutor Ani Khubedjashvili and Investigator Giorgi Nikabadze, while the judge was the sanctioned Teona Epitashvili.

During the questioning, the main points of interest for the prosecution were:

• A money transfer from Eka Gigauri’s personal account to the solidarity fund to help the unlawfully fined citizens;
• Several rain ponchos and two megaphones (so-called "rupors") purchased by "Transparency International - Georgia’s" for pro-European campaigns, with a total value of 363 GEL.
• Eka Gigauri's attendance at protests against the "Russian law" in support of the Georgian non-governmental organizations; as well as her presence on Rustaveli Avenue during and after the dispersal of protests in December, similar to other citizens;
• "Transparency International - Georgia's" announced car horn campaign to show solidarity with detainees and the banner posted for this purpose on Facebook;
• Eka Gigauri's post on the platform X concerning the adoption of anti-democratic laws and the establishment of Russian-style governance;
• Eka Gigauri's position regarding individual sanctions;
• The opinions expressed by Eka Gigauri at a bipartisan hearing in the United States Senate last year.

It is noteworthy that these investigative procedures are taking place in a broader political context, where "Transparency International - Georgia" is already subject to double monitoring—under the so-called "FARA" and the amendments to the "Law on Grants" introduced in the spring, which are overseen by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. This fact, in itself, underscores that this case and investigation serve only the political interests of the ruling party and have no legal basis.

In our assessment, the steps taken by the ruling party and the public authorities against our organization are aimed at silencing us because our anti-corruption activities, our fight for democracy, justice, and the country's European future make them uncomfortable. However, we stand and will firmly continue to stand to guard over the rights of our citizens.