Prime Minister – I Want to Express my Surprise as to Why Partskhaladze was Sanctioned, it Doesn’t Make Sense to Me

‘’Otar Partskhaladze was been out of public service for more than 10 years. So it is surprising and unclear why he was sanctioned and it doesn’t make sense to me. I am speaking about this openly and stating my opinion. Talk about creating a storm in a teacup,’’ Gharibashvili told journalists.

When asked whether he believes that Otar Partskhaladze is a Russian agent, the Prime Minister explained: ‘’All those who act to the detriment of the interests of the country in favor of the interests of other countries are traitors to me, no matter which country they serve.

To my and our state services knowledge, there is no proof of Partskhaladze committing any action in the interest of a foreign state and against ours. Partskhaladze is a businessman.

The Prime Minister also commented on the issuance of an extraordinary order by Natela Turnava, acting president of the National Bank of Georgia, in favor of Otar Partskhaladze, by which the National Bank no longer obliges commercial banks to impose sanctions on Partskhaladze.

‘’It was not about Partskhaladze, it was about a citizen of Georgia. It’s funny to hear comments from real spies, real traitors of the country,’’ said Gharibashvili.

‘’When judges were sanctioned for alleged facts of corruption, has anyone seen any evidence?! Now, I am not Partskhaladze’s lawyer, but I am stating my position about him as a citizen, a former member of the team, and a former prosecutor. It is important that we don’t make decisions blindly. We understand and respect our partner state, and we are having this discussion with them. What is most surprising and concerning is that no US agency has ever contacted us regarding Partskhaladzes’ links with Russia. We knew that he had business dealings [in Russia], this is nothing to hide and everyone knows it, but he is not an oligarch and has no influence on the society. How is Partskhaladze an oligarch? The man left the government and has been doing business for more than 10 years. Why he took a Russian passport is his business, it’s a personal choice of every person. Now he’s being criticized by political forces whose leaders are still Russian citizens, like Koba Nakopia, one of the party leaders and Saakashvili’s right hand, or Grigol Vashadze, who was a presidential candidate and former minister of foreign affairs and did not renounce Russian citizenship even after the war. How can you point fingers at anyone else? How dare you speak at all. If Mrs. Ia Guliashvili [Mtavari Channel journalist] had been sanctioned, we would have protected her as well. If you are sanctioned tomorrow, we will defend you equally. Evidence is necessary,’’ said Gharibashvili.

On September 14, news broke that the USA imposed sanctions on the former chief prosecutor of Georgia, Otar Partskhaladze. The State Department document names Partskhaladze as a Georgian-Russian oligarch with whom Russia's Federal Security Service [FSB] worked to influence Georgian society and politics in Russia's favor. The State Department also sanctioned two companies operating in Russia, 50-50% shares of which belong to Partskhaladze. These companies are Moscow Business Brokerage and International Business Corporation.

Georgian News wrote on February 14, 2023, that the former chief prosecutor of Georgia offers clients investment business projects with immigration benefits, including in Georgia, through the company Moscow Business Brokerage. Immigration benefits imply obtaining permanent residency, work visas, and citizenship through investment.

On September 20, Otar Partskhaladze transferred the ownership of his property in Georgia - apartments, hotel rooms, commercial spaces - to his son.

The National Agency of Public Registry started and completed proceedings on 12 different applications of Partskhaladze in one hour.

On the same day, the Public Services Development Agency of the Ministry of Justice considered it appropriate to terminate Georgian citizenship for Otar Partskhaladze. The relevant conclusion was sent to the President of Georgia, however Salome Zourabichvili, despite her public announcement that she would immediately terminate the Georgian citizenship of Partskhaladze, did not fulfill her promise. The presidential administration now explains that the president has three months to make a decision. Salome Zourabichvili says that Partskhaladze should be punished as a citizen of Georgia and she demands an investigation of the case from the relevant authorities.