“For many months since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war, we have warned that Georgia must not become a haven for sanction circumvention. We have repeatedly presented evidence that the Kulevi oil terminal risks falling under sanctions, and this issue is now on the agenda,” stated Irakli Kupradze, a member of Lelo-Strong Georgia.

According to him, “Whenever Irakli Kobakhidze speaks, he pleads and complains. We have provided full information about the Kulevi terminal, and we hope it will not be sanctioned. His reactions suggest that a crime may have been committed.”

“Kobakhidze is trying to save himself. It would be a tragedy if the Kulevi terminal were sanctioned. Such economic centres are vital for Georgia. But if this misfortune occurs and the terminal is shut down, personal responsibility will lie with Bidzina Ivanishvili, Kobakhidze, Papuashvili, Kaladze, and others, including television stations that claimed it was a lie that sanctioned oil wasn’t being resold through Kulevi.

In recent years, Georgia has become one of the world’s leading oil exporters despite not producing oil itself. How? We must ask, how is this happening so easily? Sanctioned cargo is coming from Russia, and if money laundering occurs here, Georgia’s national interests are at risk. The Georgian Dream government is involved in this, harming Georgia, which could ultimately lead to the closure of the Kulevi oil terminal,” Kupradze concluded.