“Considering the country’s national interests, we deemed it appropriate to exercise discretion and annul all decisions that mandated non-governmental organizations to disclose their expenditures related to political processes,” stated Razhden Kuprashvili, Head of the Georgian Anti-Corruption Bureau.

During a briefing, Kuprashvili emphasized that the Bureau would continue to “safeguard the informed choices of Georgian citizens.”

“The term ‘non-transparency’ is incompatible with a free and open society, and the dangers of concealing facts outweigh the justifications some may use to defend non-transparency. Certain forces employ covert methods to expand their influence. Their actions lack openness and clarity. They operate secretly rather than confidently. Their expenditures are unreported, thus posing a threat to citizens’ informed choices,” he remarked.

Kuprashvili also clarified that no decision impedes the right to observe elections.

“The allegations regarding this issue are false and speculative. The only requirement is public disclosure of political expenditures,” he affirmed.

The Head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau provided insights into a meeting held with international election observers.

“We conveyed the essence of our decision and reaffirmed that it bore no relation to the observation mission. However, spreading falsehoods further jeopardizes national interests. Regrettably, the organization, whose name is intrinsically linked to transparency, was the first to reject transparency and attack the principle of the rule of law. This organization, like others, refuses to disclose to the public how it spends tens of millions of GEL. Publicizing this organization’s expenditures would clarify how processes were managed to shape public opinion,” he added.

Razhden Kuprashvili stressed that elections are fundamental to democracy and that no one should question the outcomes determined by citizens at the polls.

“Taking into account the country’s national interests, we considered it correct to exercise discretion and annul all decisions requiring non-governmental organizations to disclose their expenditures related to political processes. The Bureau will continue to safeguard the informed choices of Georgian citizens. We serve Georgia,” he concluded.

On October 1, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze urged the Anti-Corruption Bureau to review its decision regarding Transparency International – Georgia and to revoke its designation as an organization with declared electoral aims. The Prime Minister also called on the Bureau to avoid making similar decisions for other organizations ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections.