Georgian Prosecutor's Office freezes bank accounts of several so-called “foundations” engaged in funding violent actions

The Georgian Prosecutor's Office on Monday announced the freezing of bank accounts belonging to several foundations.

The Office reported that the so-called “foundations” had been using a significant portion of the collected funds to provide financial support to individuals charged with organising and participating in acts of group violence, as well as their family members, noting that “in addition to financing violent actions, this practice creates incentives for individuals to engage in illegal activities for material gain”.

“Based on a court ruling, issued on March 17, bank accounts and financial assets of the following organisations were frozen in all banking institutions across Georgia: Nanuka’s Foundation, Prosperity Georgia, Foundation for Each Other 24/7, Shame Movement, and Tbilisi Human Rights House”, the statement said.

The statement referenced an ongoing investigation into acts of sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravated circumstances, assistance to foreign organisations engaged in hostile activities, and mobilisation of funds for activities against Georgia’s constitutional order and national security.

The investigation determined that from November 28, 2024 until today, various protests, the so-called “marches”, and other events across Georgia had taken on a violent nature, exceeding legal boundaries. The Office stressed that these actions had resulted in damage to government and private property, use of dangerous objects and substances, attacks on police officers, and other unlawful activities.

The investigation also indicated the organisation of and participation in violence by criminal groups, involving vandalism, property damage, and the use of weapons such as pyrotechnic devices, flammable substances, and Molotov cocktails.

Additionally, the Prosecutor's Office alleged that these groups were systematically supplied with respirators, gas masks, helmets, and other equipment to facilitate violent attacks against law enforcement. The violent actions resulted in injuries to 55 individuals, mostly law enforcement officers, and damage to administrative buildings and vehicles.

Parallel to these events, information circulated indicating that certain individuals and entities were raising funds to support those involved in illegal activities. The Prosecutor's Office conducted a detailed review of bank transactions of those suspected of providing material support to these activities. The investigation found that funds were often collected and distributed through the foundations in question.

The statement emphasised that these organisations directly finance illegal activities, incite disobedience, and provide material support to those involved in unlawful actions and their families, including paying fines and addressing personal and organizational needs. The Prosecutor's Office noted that the bank accounts of these foundations, opened recently, have spent over 2,000,000 GEL since December 2024.

The Prosecutor’s Office claims that the designated “foundations” directed the majority of their financial resources to encourage those committing unlawful and criminal activity, as well as purchasing the inventory and means needed to commit these crimes.

Specifically, funds were received and spent with direct transaction descriptions such as “for necessary equipment for the protest”, “what is needed for the fight”, “purchase of inventory for protests”, “to purchase pyrotechnics”, “purchase of gas masks for front-line persons” and others.

The investigation indicates that large sums of money designated for “purchase of gas masks for front-line persons” were intended to finance violent groups attacking law enforcement.

Given the severity of these allegations, the Prosecutor’s Office moved to freeze the bank accounts of the aforementioned organisations.

“The investigation is ongoing, and the public will be periodically updated on its progress”, the statement concluded.