TI Georgia urges Anti-Corruption Bureau to demand Ivanishvili’s asset declaration

Transparency International – Georgia has called on the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Razhden Kuprashvili, to “fulfil his legal responsibilities” and request that Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, submit a full asset declaration. The watchdog said on Friday this included seeking information through the courts if necessary.

In a statement, the organisation argued that Ivanishvili was not exempt from the obligation to declare his assets, despite Georgian Dream’s claim that his short tenure in parliament after the 2024 elections excluded him from such requirements.

“Ivanishvili is not exempted by law from declaring his assets,” the statement read. “Georgian Dream is trying to convince citizens why Ivanishvili’s assets should be hidden from the public and why he should be above the law.”

The controversy centres on Ivanishvili’s parliamentary mandate, which was recognised on 25 November 2024 and terminated at his request on 10 December - less than two months later. Georgian Dream argued that under Georgia’s anti-corruption law, officials who hold office for less than two months were exempt from the requirement to file an asset declaration.

However, Transparency International disputed this interpretation, stating that the exemption applied only to temporary acting officials within the same institution, not to elected members of parliament. “Ivanishvili was not temporarily replacing someone; he was elected to a new position, and the exemption does not apply to such cases,” the group said.

The organisation also noted what it described as inconsistency in the ruling party’s application of the law. “Georgian Dream contradicts itself, as former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili submitted an asset declaration after leaving parliament, as required,” the statement added.