“Every step we take is directed towards safeguarding Georgian politics from the misuse of foreign funds,” stated MP Levan Makhashvili, Chairman of the Parliament’s European Integration Committee, in an interview with GPB First Channel.

When asked about the remarks made by former U.S. State Department official Mike Benz, claiming that the protests against Georgia’s Foreign Agents Registration Act were financed by the United States, specifically through USAID, Makhashvili responded:

“This statement stirred quite a range of emotions. Naturally, first and foremost, there was anger, because such substantial sums of money were flowing into Georgian politics and being used for purposes that bear no relation to the public interest. At the same time, we welcome the fact that the new administration has now closed these funds, making it impossible to spend American money for purposes outside the original intent unilaterally. Sadly, the misuse of funds has not entirely ceased; other European sources are now financing similar activities. Every step we take is aimed at protecting Georgian politics from the influence of foreign money,” Makhashvili explained.