Tea Tsulukiani, Chairperson of the temporary investigative commission established in Parliament to probe into activities of the 2003-2012 government and its officials, stated at the commission session that its activities are not aimed at discrediting Mamuka Khazaradze [Lelo party leader], as he is already discredited.

According to her, the facts presented indicate that Khazaradze and TBC Bank acted as enforcers for the National Movement government, using the bank to facilitate actions by Mikheil Saakashvili, Davit Kezerashvili, and others that violated property rights.

Tsulukiani also noted that since Khazaradze failed to appear before the commission, he should focus on his ongoing court case.

“Yesterday, we saw Mamuka Khazaradze appear in court as a defendant. He now holds that status, and the judge ruled that he must await trial at home, having paid a 50,000 GEL bail. This is not a verdict; the legal proceedings will continue over the next two months, and we will closely follow them. In response to his claim that the commission is discrediting him—I reiterate that our commission does not serve that purpose. The facts speak for themselves: under the National Movement government, Khazaradze and TBC Bank were instrumental in enabling Saakashvili and Kezerashvili to violate property rights. At the time, Khazaradze showed no hesitation, and those who opposed the system faced imprisonment, torture, and inhumane treatment. This is his history. Now, as a defendant, he should step away from the commission and focus on his trial,” Tsulukiani stated.