Vice Speaker Volski: Ex-Pres Saakashvili sold strategic assets to Russia, received security guarantees

First Vice-Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Giorgi Volski has accused former President Mikheil Saakashvili of selling strategic state assets to Russia in exchange for security guarantees.

Speaking while commenting on a statement by Levan Zhorzholiani, Head of the Government Administration, who said that the previous government had transferred strategic energy facilities to Russian ownership and sought to impose higher tariffs on the population, Volski noted that since 2014 the state has refused proposals from the owners of those privatised strategic assets to increase tariffs.

“Since then, a confrontation has been ongoing. Saakashvili sold strategic facilities to Russia and received security guarantees from them,” he said.

Volski added the current Government has resisted pressure related to these assets and tariff policies.

Earlier, Zhorzholiani stated that through its actions, the Saakashvili administration, whom he described as the most pro-Russian in practice, transferred strategic energy facilities to the Russian side and imposed increased tariffs on the population. He added that the ruling Georgian Dream Government refused to allow higher tariffs to be passed on to consumers.