Parliament Vice Speaker alleges massive Russian payments to opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria family, calls it “direct salary”

Gia Volski, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the First Vice Speaker of the Parliament, on Saturday made a striking statement regarding alleged financial ties between the family of the opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria and the Russian state budget.

Speaking about a purported recent transfer of funds, Volski claimed that “a huge amount of money is coming from the Russian state budget for the benefit of the Khoshtaria family, and they are directly paying salaries”.

“A massive sum is coming from the Russian state budget for the Khoshtaria family’s benefit - they are receiving a direct salary. She receives Russian money, and, encouraged and financially secured by it, she’s now on the offensive. Elene Khoshtaria is heavily involved in incidents like development of radical processes, involving youth, mobilising pyrotechnics, and promoting such revolutionary scenarios”, the Parliament official said.

Volski also hinted at a “serious suspicion of conspiracy”, stating that such alleged connections, if true, reflect double standards in how foreign influence is perceived and tolerated.

Imedi TV on Thursday reported that Elene Khoshtaria, a leader of the opposition Coalition for Change, had received a significant increase in financial support from Russia.

As reported, her family received up to $250,000 in transfers from Russian sources in April alone.

In 2022, Khoshtaria confirmed transfers of funds from Russia to the account of her family member, and said the money involved royalties from a Russian theatre as her father was the successor of Soliko Virsaladze, a famed Georgian scenographer who produced set and costume designs in theatres, including venues based in Russia.