Parulava: Corruption Deal Over Patriarch's Funeral Expenses Would Surprise No One

"It's beneficial for Georgia" Deputy Giga Parulava said that if there is any bottom, Georgian Dream's political team has probably sunk to every level, and a corruption deal over the patriarch's funeral expenses would surprise no one. With this, he responded to the statement of Davit Oqitashvili, head of the "Palace of Culture."

According to Parulava, there is no sphere from which Georgian Dream's political team has not misappropriated funds through corrupt means.

"Whatever information has been circulated, if there is any bottom, this Georgian Dream system and political team has probably sunk to every level in this case. What was directly discussed concerns a corrupt deal over the patriarch's funeral expenses. There is no sphere from which Georgian Dream's political team has not misappropriated funds through corrupt means. Society remembers very well that funds were misappropriated through corrupt deals from the Ministry of Defence. Funds meant for children's food in kindergartens were misappropriated through corruption, as well as from soup kitchens for the poor. Kindergartens and schools were demolished and not rebuilt because they cannot build them; the funds earmarked for construction were embezzled and distributed for personal welfare or party interests. Therefore, unfortunately, this specific fact will also not surprise society, and naturally, it will not be new to anyone. Of course, relevant agencies in any country should take an interest in this serious fact, but let us wait and see what the result will be in this case, we will see," Parulava said.

Davit Oqitashvili accuses former Culture Minister Tinatin Rukhadze of targeted restriction of her activities and damaging his reputation, and calls on law enforcement agencies to investigate the former minister's activities. In a lengthy appeal published on social media, he asks the prosecutor's office and audit bodies to make public the expenses of the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II.

According to Oqitashvili, Rukhadze restricted communication with representatives of the cultural sector. He also demands an answer as to who instructed the minister to suspend the "historic project, the opening of Stars, for successful and meritorious people." In the statement, Oqitashvili also mentions Mamuka Mdinaradze and writes that, according to Rukhadze's words, Mdinaradze "hates Oqitashvili" and should not be approached.