The Anti-Corruption Bureau made a rational decision by designating Transparency International Georgia and similar non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as entities with explicitly stated electoral objectives. However, the legal perspective may diverge from state interests, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze remarked at a briefing.

The Head of the Government expressed gratitude to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for rescinding its previous decision, as such a designation would “yield nothing” in the lead-up to the elections.

“It is evident to everyone that certain organizations, including TI-Georgia, operate with clearly articulated electoral purposes and adhere to their stated electoral agenda. They are actively engaged in overt electoral campaigning and propaganda. There is ample evidence to support this, and they do not conceal it,” he stated.

Thus, the Anti-Corruption Bureau made a judicious choice by identifying Transparency International Georgia and similar NGOs as organizations with declared electoral aims. However, one is purely a legal approach and the other is state expediency, the Prime Minister added.

“Certainly, the Anti-Corruption Bureau is not a political entity; therefore, it operates fundamentally based on legal criteria—adhering to these standards from start to finish. However, we believe it is essential to also consider the criterion of state expediency alongside these purely legal standards when addressing pertinent issues. This is the rationale behind our formal appeal to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Irakli Kobakhidze elaborated on why he had urged the Anti-Corruption Bureau to reconsider its decision regarding Transparency International Georgia and to withdraw its designation as an organization with declared electoral aims.

“We believed it would be inappropriate to grant such a status to Transparency International or similar organizations during the pre-election period, despite the prevailing conditions that might justify it. The simple reason is that such a designation does not provide any tangible benefits. The only outcome of this decision is that this merely cultivates an environment ripe for speculation,” he asserted.

According to the Prime Minister, TI-Georgia’s findings will come as no surprise to anyone.

“TI-Georgia did not astonish anyone in 2020, and a similar scenario will unfold in 2024, given the organization’s tarnished reputation. Therefore, it was preferable not to create grounds for speculation. I am pleased that the Anti-Corruption Bureau took our suggestion into consideration. In this instance, it was inappropriate to rely solely on legal criteria, and this is the basis for our appeal to the Anti-Corruption Bureau,” he explained.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau announced the reversal of its decision mandating NGOs to disclose political expenditures.

On October 1, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze urged the Anti-Corruption Bureau to re-evaluate its decision concerning Transparency International Georgia and to revoke its classification as an organization with declared electoral aims. The Prime Minister also called on the Bureau to refrain from making similar determinations for other organizations in advance of the 2024 parliamentary elections.