Georgian speaker denounces employment of former PM abroad as "political corruption"

The employment of former Georgian Prime Minister and leader of the “Gakharia – For Georgia” party, Giorgi Gakharia, at Berlin’s Hertie School represents “political corruption” and an attempt to hire a Georgian politician to advance a foreign policy agenda, according to Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament.

“Supposedly, he is to conduct research on Georgia’s integration into the European Union, and his funding also covers his visits and interviews with senior officials of the European Commission and EU member states. Political corruption and the hiring of a foreign politician to promote a political agenda are glaringly evident,” Papuashvili said, as per Georgian media, cited by Caliber.Az.

He emphasised that in Germany, funding allocations typically consider the political activity of recipients to avoid politicisation of institutions and prevent them from being associated with specific political platforms.

Papuashvili accused the Hertie School, which he said collaborates with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), of “directly paying a Georgian politician,” noting that the arrangement is politically charged.

“In this case, the institution departed from its own ethical standards by hiring a radical opposition figure accused of serious crimes, including the violent dispersal of a demonstration,” he added, referencing matters previously addressed by the European Court of Human Rights.

Regarding the possibility of Gakharia’s extradition, Papuashvili expressed scepticism, citing past instances where former Georgian officials facing charges or convictions in Georgia were able to move freely within the European Union.

He also highlighted the ongoing investigation into cases connected to the events of June 20, 2019.

“The investigation was lengthy. The prosecution concluded there is sufficient evidence to bring charges, and the case materials will be handed over to the court, which will determine whether guilt is confirmed,” Papuashvili said.

By Tamilla Hasanova