“If NGOs claim to be engaged in advocacy, how do they purchase helmets, masks, and flags?” Razhden Kuprashvili, head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, told journalists.

Kuprashvili emphasised that these questions demand clear answers.

“We have launched a probe into several organisations, and this information has been made public. It is a deeply troubling fact to declare that certain organisations will stand above the law, refuse to comply with court decisions, destroy case materials, or refuse to cooperate with state agencies. The law has its regulations, and within this framework, we will uncover all facts related to these organisations’ activities.

I assure both these entities and the public that I will provide detailed information. Many organisations will face questions — for example, if they claim to be dedicated solely to advocacy or protecting beneficiaries’ rights, how is it that they are purchasing helmets, masks, and flags worth thousands or even tens of thousands of lari? These questions must be answered.

Regarding these issues, we are obliged to inform citizens so they can make informed decisions. The Anti-Corruption Bureau will continue its diligent work in this direction. We will also protect honest organisations. We will not allow anyone to secretly or covertly conduct political activities or other undeclared actions under the guise of legitimate organisations,” Kuprashvili asserted.

Furthermore, Kuprashvili criticised Transparency International’s head, Eka Gigauri, accusing her of offering the greatest opacity to citizens.

“Frankly, the head of Transparency International is behaving terribly. Eka Gigauri has been claiming for years that she acts in the best interest of Georgia’s European future, out of love for her homeland. Yet, she has promoted the greatest opacity to citizens. Last year, when we were compelled to recognise her as an electoral subject and made her expenses public, she chose the path of secrecy. For years, she has argued with government representatives about transparency issues — but what she is doing now is appalling. Civil society should work towards transparency, and if any process is opaque, we must have access to information about it. What Gigauri is doing is unacceptable,” Kuprashvili concluded.