Parliament’s Commission to Probe into MP’s Business Interests

Senior parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party backed MP Koba Bekauri, but agreed to set up a special parliamentary commission to probe into those allegations against MP Bekauri which were aired in an investigative report broadcasted by the 202 TV on September 13. This decision to establish a commission was made at during a session of the ruling party?s parliamentary commission on September 14.

The investigative report prepared by an independent media studio ?Reporter? accused MP Bekauri of illegally purchasing shares of the customs terminal Opiza. 

?Bekauri has not done anything illegal,? MP Maia Nadiradze, Chairman of the National Movement?s parliamentary faction, told reporters. Influential MP from the ruling party Giga Bokeria also backed MP Bekauri.

MP Bekauri convened a news conference on September 14 and announced that he will resign from the position of deputy chairman of the National Movement?s parliamentary faction in order not to trigger speculations about possible pressure he may exert on the parliamentary commission?s investigation.

Bekauri also said at a news conference that he is grateful to 202 TV for broadcasting the investigative report, ?because society could see that there was nothing compromising against me.? He described this investigative report as ?false.?

?I am ready to cooperate with the investigative commission, which will investigate all the issues related with Opiza,? MP Bekauri said.

According to this report, MP Koba Bekauri?s assets increased by 294,000 Lari (about USD 163,000) since he became a parliamentarian one year ago. In an interview, which is the part of this report, Bekauri admits that he received a USD 150,000 interest-free loan from an Israel-based Georgian businessman. According to the law on conflict of interests, an interest-free loan is the same as a gift and public servants have the right to accept gifts within a year only if the gift’s value does not exceed 20 times the minimum cost of living ? USD 150,000 is much more this figure.

Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze told reporters on September 14 that the parliamentary commission, which will probe into Opiza case, will be composed of MPs from both the ruling and opposition parties. She added that opposition parliamentarians should occupy a majority of the seats in the commission.

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