Former PM Gilauri: My brother’s inclusion on sanction list resembles deliberate discrediting operation, clearly bearing KGB imprint
Former PM Gilauri: My brother’s inclusion on sanction list resembles deliberate discrediting operation, clearly bearing KGB imprint

“The inclusion of my brother on the sanctions list resembles a deliberate discrediting operation aimed at undermining the process, clearly bearing the hallmarks of KGB-style tactics. The purpose of this operation is to shift focus away from the regime’s actual supporters and to dilute its severity,” Nika Gilauri, the former Prime Minister of Georgia, stated on social media.

Gilauri mentioned that he has reached out to members of the U.S. Congress and representatives of the incoming administration through personal channels, expressing confidence that this error will soon be rectified.

Regarding the list released by Radio Free Europe, which mentioned his brother alongside Bidzina Ivanishvili’s support network, Gilauri noted, “I did not want to comment until the board of directors of Georgian Capital made a statement. This statement was released yesterday, clearly explaining that the company’s board of directors—composed entirely of independent European and American members—expresses full confidence in Irakli Gilauri and does not agree with any suggestions that the U.S. or any other government might consider taking action against him. We are convinced that any authorized body will align with our viewpoint after reviewing the relevant information.”

Gilauri emphasized that Georgian Capital is a company listed on the London Stock Exchange, managing funds from the largest American and European investment funds. His brother serves as a director of Georgian Capital, which these Western funds have entrusted with their capital for investments in Georgia.

“There are very few individuals in Georgia, who receive such trust from Western funds and are capable of bringing substantial funds into the country,” Nika Gilauri wrote.

He also pointed out that because the company’s shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange, it is subject to very strict rules regarding non-involvement in any political processes which can sometimes be misinterpreted in Georgia as silence being a sign of consent.

“Given these factors, I reiterate that my brother’s inclusion on the list resembles a targeted discrediting operation characterized by a clear KGB-style signature, intended to shift the focus away from the regime’s true supporters and diminish its intensity. This is indeed a KGB-style approach—if you cannot stop a process from working against you, you must discredit that process.

The initiators of placing my brother on this list are likely those who are the actual targets of these sanctions. This incident would not have occurred without the involvement of ‘useful idiots,’ but as the saying goes, ‘nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,’ and I will provide further information on this.”

Gilauri went on to say that the statement from Georgian Capital noted that the board of directors is actively working with U.S. officials to clarify the circumstances. Georgian Capital is a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and its main shareholders are institutional investors from the United States and Europe. Under Irakli Gilauri’s leadership, the company is managed in accordance with the highest standards of corporate governance.

“I, too, have contacted U.S. Congress members and representatives of the incoming administration, and I am confident that this error will soon be corrected. The individuals who truly support this regime will undoubtedly face sanctions. As my American friends assured me, ‘this list is subject to calibration—someone may have been incorrectly included for various reasons, and this will be clarified, while others may need to be added,” Gilauri concluded.