Georgian PM calls FARA-listed contract of opposition UNM party “bribery, not lobbying”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday stated in response to a journalist’s question regarding a document published in the US FARA registry, related to a lobbying company hired by the domestic opposition United National Movement party, that “for us, this is not a lobbying contract” and that the matter requires a proper investigation.

According to the Prime Minister, the case represents ordinary bribery and quid pro quo, which naturally warrants the attention of law enforcement agencies.

“As you know, a case has been initiated with the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia concerning foreign organisations supporting hostile activities. When contracts of this type are formed, I believe they also contain indications of certain criminal activity, which of course must be legally verified by the relevant authorities. As for what is formally called lobbying, for us this cannot be considered lobbying; it is ordinary bribery and quid pro quo, which, naturally, should also attract the attention of law enforcement agencies”, Kobakhidze said.