Georgian Parliament Speaker urges EU to clarify alleged funding of fake NGOs in Georgia

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday called on the European Union, its delegation, and the embassies of EU member states to clarify whether European funds were used to fund what he described as fraudulent schemes involving fake non-governmental organisations to bypass Georgian legislation.

In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that the domestic Law on Grants established a simple rule - “if a foreign state or organisation seeks to spend money in Georgia on issues that affect the formation of domestic or foreign policy, it must seek the consent of the Georgian people”.

“What European Commissioner Ms. [Marta] Kos referred to - saying they are looking for ways to transfer funds to their NGOs - are exactly these methods. Some of these ways had already been found, while new schemes are now being put in place. This is an international fraudulent scheme aimed at financing politics in Georgia by bypassing Georgian legislation and attempting to influence both domestic and foreign policy”, the Speaker said.

“As I stated yesterday, at a single address, in a dilapidated building where it is clear that no office exists, fake NGOs are being registered. They have no connection whatsoever to non-commercial activities in Estonia”, he continued.

Papuashvili further added that their sole purpose was to serve as conduits for money in circumvention of Georgian law.

“The Law on Grants sets out a simple rule: if a foreign state or organisation wants to spend money in Georgia on matters influencing domestic and foreign policy, it should ask the Georgian people. This was the rationale behind the legislative initiatives that were introduced”, he concluded.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday claimed the European Union was using indirect schemes to exert political influence in Georgia by channeling funds into politics without the consent of the Georgian people.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Papuashvili Papuashvili presented what he described as photo evidence and registration documents showing that several Georgian non-governmental and media organisations were registered at the same address in Estonia, with the address corresponding to a dilapidated, partially ruined building located next to a railway line, which he said raises questions about the credibility of the organisations allegedly registered there.