National Bank issues statement regarding launching an investigation into Nana Keinishvili

The National Bank of Georgia has issued a statement concerning the case of Nana Keinishvili, its senior official.

According to the National Bank’s statement, the bank reviewed the circumstances outlined in correspondence from representatives of Bitexchange LLC and conducted an initial internal assessment within its competence.

NBG said that the files had been forwarded to the relevant authorities as investigating legal allegations fell outside its official scope.

“We hope the truth of the matter will be established quickly. In the meantime, and until full clarity is reached, the board will consider temporarily suspending Nana Keinishvili from meetings at its next session, upholding the high standards of the National Bank of Georgia,” the bank said.

“Regarding the virtual asset service provider Bitexchange LLC, we inform you that the NBG fined the entity following a routine inspection for breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regulations,” the central bank said in a statement.

As a reminder, the Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed earlier today that a criminal investigation has been opened into National Bank board member Nana Keinishvili regarding alleged unlawful participation in commercial activity by a public official, following a formal referral from the NBG.

Parliament approved Keinishvili’s appointment to the governing board in September 2023, following her nomination by then-President Salome Zourabichvili.