The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) has stated that the investigation centres on the process of price formation, for which electronic versions of documents are being requested from various companies under court orders.

“We are not interested in other financial matters in this case, as these do not constitute the subject of the ongoing investigation,” the State Security Service stated.

For context, the Retail Association has issued a statement noting that “the Anti-Corruption Agency, based on established procedures and court orders, has requested contracts, accounting documents, and invoices from member companies”.

It should be recalled that a coordination commission has been established in connection with food product prices, comprising Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songulashvili, Minister of Finance Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister for Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs Mikheil Sarjveladze, Head of the State Security Service Mamuka Mdinaradze, Head of the Government Administration Levan Zhorzholiani, and Chairman of the Competition and Consumer Protection Agency Irakli Lekvinadze.

On January 21, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with representatives of retail chain stores at the Government Administration.