Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamashvili stated that the public clearly remembers the intense political debate surrounding the Anaklia Port project, with accusations that the government had obstructed the initiative and Western investments. However, he emphasized that the Paris Arbitration had already addressed and refuted these claims.

According to Dzamashvili, the Washington Arbitration ruling further confirmed that the Anaklia project had full support from the Georgian government.

“Investors were given multiple extensions to fulfill their obligations, but they failed to implement the project due to their own shortcomings. A significant part of the case involved the arguments raised by Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, particularly regarding the criminal prosecution against them. The Washington Arbitration responded clearly, stating that in a democratic country, individuals cannot expect immunity from legal responsibility simply because they are involved in a major project or associated with political figures,” said Dzamashvili.

He also highlighted that the decision was unanimous, made by all three arbitrators, including the one appointed by the plaintiffs. The ruling held the investors solely accountable for the failure of the project.

“Speculation that American or Western investment was obstructed must end—this arbitration decision puts the matter to rest,” Dzamashvili added.

The Ministry of Justice asserts that Khazaradze and Japaridze lost the arbitration. It states that in the dispute, Bob Meijer, their Dutch partner, demanded USD 64 million. However, the tribunal rejected his claims and instead ordered him to pay USD 6.5 million to the government of Georgia.