Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of the Strategy Agmashenebeli opposition party, on Monday criticized the domestic anti-corruption bureau, alleging it served as a shield for a monopolistic clan rather than combating corruption effectively.

Vashadze contended the bureau functioned to perpetuate the rule of a small, monopolistic group while further impoverishing the populace and exonerating individuals engaged in corrupt practices.

"In reality, this institution has been established not to curb corruption but to bolster the hegemony of Ivanishvili's [the founder of the ruling party and its honorary chair] clan, perpetuating a cycle of impoverishment and shielding corrupt individuals from accountability," Vashadze claimed.

He further highlighted instances where high-profile figures, “such as Garibashvili” [the former prime minister, current chair of the GD], have allegedly benefited from this system, suggesting it served to enrich specific groups rather than serve the public interest.

The agency was established last year to meet one of conditions for Georgia’s European Union candidacy, purportedly aimed at combating corruption, supervising the implementation of government policies, and coordinating efforts against crime.

The bureau chair is appointed by the Georgian prime minister.