Georgian Dream denounces Transparency International for misleading public over Ivanishvili’s assets

The ruling Georgian Dream party on Friday released a statement, rejecting what it called the latest disinformation from the NGO Transparency International Georgia regarding asset declaration of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and Honorary Chair of the Georgian Dream.

In a statement, the ruling party noted that the organisation was once again trying to mislead the public with speculative statements and spread falsehoods about its Honorary Chair.

“To clarify for the public: Bidzina Ivanishvili fulfilled his obligation to submit an asset declaration, which he was required to do as a parliamentary candidate during the 2024 parliamentary elections. He completed the declaration on October 4, 2024. Radio Liberty requested this declaration from the Anti-Corruption Bureau and published an article about Ivanishvili’s declared assets in Georgia, Russia, and France on October 31, 2024”, the statement said.

The Georgian Dream party further addressed Transparency International Georgia’s claim that Ivanishvili was required to file a declaration because he briefly served as an MP after the election.

The party pointed out that under the Law of Georgia on Combating Corruption, “any official must submit an asset declaration within two months of assuming office - but if the post is held for no more than two months, the obligation does not apply”.

Furthermore, according to the same law, “a candidate for Parliament must file a declaration within one week of registering as a candidate, unless they have already submitted one that year”.

“Based on these legal provisions, it is clear that Transparency International Georgia is spreading falsehoods. The 11th convocation of the Parliament of Georgia recognised Bidzina Ivanishvili’s mandate at its inaugural session on November 25, 2024, and it was terminated at his own request on December, 10 2024 - meaning he held the mandate for less than two months”, the statement concluded.