The systemic problem in corruption should be immediately addressed
Statement by NGOs on recent examples of corruption September 25, 2018
The public has recently become aware of a number of alleged instances of corruption involving public officials. The notable examples are the public materials related to the activities of the Omega Group and TV Iberia, which are indicative of severe corruption, in which public officials may have been involved. In spite of the fact that the authenticity of the recordings has not yet been verified, it is highly concerning that the government has not responded to these materials. Moreover, some of the comments made by the representatives of the government indicate that they fail to understand the seriousness of the situation. A number of private recordings have recently leaked to the public, which points to alleged instances of severe corruption and requests for illegal transfer of property. In one of the recordings, Zaza Okuashvili, Partner in Omega Group, talks with a representative of his competitor company (Tbilisi Tobacco). The recording depicts the discussion regarding the division of the tobacco market. The recording also contains a conversation about the transfer of 50% of the profit from the sales of the cigarettes to the Georgian Dream Fund. Another secret audio recording also contains a conversation where the former Minister of Sport, Levan Kipiani, is asking Zaza Okuashvili to transfer his ownership of automobiles. As the recordings show, the automobiles are intended for Levan Kipiani and other high-ranking officials. On September 24, another recording was leaked to the public, which captures the conversation between the founder of the Omega Group, Zaza Okuashvili, and Giorgi Chubunishvili (Shareholder of one of the competitor companies Tbilisi Tobacco). The recording clearly shows that 2.5 tetri is to be paid to the Georgian Dream Fund for every cigarette box sold.
Transparency International Georgia Human rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) Sapari Partnership for Human Rights (PHR) Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) Human Rights Center Georgia's Reforms Associates Open Society Foundation
|
INFO ROOM
|