CEC Lifts Immunity from Opposition MP Candidate

The Central Election Commission (CEC) today lifted the immunity of MP candidate Tengiz Gogichashvili of the election bloc Rightist Opposition – New Rights-Industrialists.
 
The General Prosecutor’s Office has brought criminal charges against Mister Gogichashvili, director of a sugar production plant, who is accused of tax evasion and misappropriation of 89 thousand GEL (approximately  45 thousand USD).   

Tengiz Gogichashvili was running for MP from the Rightists Opposition’s party-list. The bloc cleared 7% threshold in the March 28th parliamentary elections, hence Gogichashvili became an MP; however his MP credentials are not confirmed by the newly elected Parliament. 
 
Last month the Central Election Commission also lifted the immunity of Bondo Shalikiani, an influential shadow businessman, after he was arrested with the charge of  illegal possesion of arms. Shalikiani was elected MP in the Tkibuli single-mandate constituency.