Zurab Chiaberashvili, the secretary for foreign affairs of the United National Movement opposition, accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of “widespread corruption and financial misconduct” on Tuesday.
His statement followed the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s allegations of intransparency in the foreign funding of domestic opposition groups.
Chiaberashvili asserted the GD’s “dark money and corrupt schemes” were evident, particularly through an alleged call center scam “used to finance their election campaigns”. He emphasized that UNM’s finances were transparent and focused on addressing the concerns of the Georgian people, advocating for a European future “instead of continued poverty and isolation”.
Vaso Urushadze, a member of the Unity opposition coalition, echoed Chiaberashvili’s concerns, alleging an “unhealthy pre-election environment” where “significant state budget funds are being funneled into private companies.”
According to Urushadze, the companies then donated to the ruling party, creating an “uneven political environment”. He also criticized the alleged repression faced by opposition supporters and called for a more transparent and competitive political environment.
Razhden Kuprashvili, head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, noted on Tuesday that the funding details of certain opposition parties remained undisclosed, further complicating the transparency of the political landscape.
