“The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has confirmed that the spending of the seven billion euro budget is being conducted in a non-transparent manner. Notably, according to this conclusion, these funds have been used to facilitate violent protest rallies,” stated Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament.

He expressed concern that when such a large sum of seven billion euros is managed without transparency, it inevitably allows “some individuals to profit.”

“This finding reaffirms what we have long discussed—some were reluctant to believe it, while others acknowledged the truth and accepted their responsibilities, especially after the change in the U.S. government exposed fraudulent schemes and politically motivated actions by organizations such as ISFED and NED. We have highlighted similar concerns regarding European funds and the European Endowment for Democracy. The European Court of Auditors now has substantiated our claims that the seven billion euro budget is being spent opaquely. Among other issues, this includes the funding of violent protests.

It’s clear that when suspicions arise about money being spent to influence the political landscape in the country, the spectre of corruption also lurks. With seven billion euros circulating in ambiguity, it’s no surprise that some individuals are benefiting. Regrettably, there are growing concerns about grants in Georgia. While some NGOs initially discussed this quietly or indirectly, a significant number are now openly addressing the corruption within the grant system. The same organizations receive funding repeatedly, and the same individuals, posing as experts, appear in various NGOs while securing different streams of funding,” Papuashvili remarked.