UNM’s Irakli Pavlenishvili: It is absurd to suggest someone holds a printed receipt for 40 million; we are addressing a systematic scheme, not a single figure

“I consider it absurd to suggest that someone might possess a printed receipt displaying 40 million or any other specific figure,” stated Irakli Pavlenishvili, Chairman of the Interim Governing Council of the United National Movement (UNM).

Pavlenishvili responded to questions on GPB First Channel’s Topic of the Day regarding what concrete evidence the UNM has to back up allegations of 40 million in covert political funding. His comments follow statements by Tengo Tevzadze, who dismissed the 40-million allegation as a fabrication and demanded an explanation from the UNM.

“Personally, I would refrain from focusing on such specifics altogether. Not because I am telling others to hold back, but simply because the issue at hand is not about that single figure; we were pointing to a broader scheme. Specific individuals possess information, and I will state directly that certain intelligence surfacing in this manner is often validated very shortly afterwards,” Pavlenishvili declared.

According to Pavlenishvili, the Ivanishvili regime’s primary objective remains fragmenting and weakening the United National Movement, its chief political adversary.

“Everyone in this country knows full well that to this day, whether one likes it or not across the political spectrum, Mikheil Saakashvili remains Bidzina Ivanishvili’s primary opponent. The United National Movement is Ivanishvili’s most formidable rival. These two choices represent the fundamental choice before the electorate, as no viable alternative has yet emerged. Other entities exist, but they lack equivalent weight, seriousness, or public backing.

Ivanishvili’s goal is to fragment the UNM. Consequently, when figures within our orbit harbour ambitions, whether healthy or unhealthy, to assert leadership and operate independently on the political field, the regime indirectly fuels those ambitions,” Pavlenishvili stated.

He added that whenever such ambitions emerge, individuals connected to Ivanishvili’s regime, links repeatedly exposed through investigative journalism, inevitably surface.

“An individual then enters the fold equipped with vast financial resources, assisting these ambitious politicians from within the UNM to launch a new political project. Down the line, these individuals vanish, or these political projects deflate entirely. This is the exact political dynamic we are witnessing, and this is precisely what we are exposing,” Pavlenishvili noted.

Pavlenishvili declined to delve into specifics when pressed on the strategy behind the alleged 40-million scheme, its purpose, and whether Ahali has cut a deal with the government.

“I will not enter into those details. As a journalist, it is understandable that you frame the issue in this manner; it lends a more sensationalist tone to the narrative,” Pavlenishvili remarked.

When reminded by the host that hints regarding these financial ties originated from Mikheil Saakashvili himself, Pavlenishvili responded: “Naturally, as a journalist, you will pose the question as you see fit. I am not disputing your line of questioning, but I reiterate: this represents a very straightforward political manoeuvre to me, regardless of how often it might be repeated in the future.”

Pavlenishvili maintained that their official political stance is to refrain from further elaboration.

Prompted by host Tamta Sanikidze on whether Mikheil Saakashvili intended to adopt the same approach, given Saakashvili’s prior statement that he would not drop the subject, Pavlenishvili concluded: “No, he posted a statement explicitly saying: ‘Let us move on to other topics, I no longer intend to address these matters.’”