Farulava Says State Post, Enterprises at Risk

Lasha Farulava, one of the leaders of the United National Movement, said that the state post and enterprises are at stake due to corrupt interests. He spoke about this on the "Resume" program of Palitranews.

According to Farulava, the basis was the creation of a partnership fund, into which energy enterprises and the railway were included instead of privatization. In his explanation, there are also intermediary companies whose goal is the "growth of the pockets" of specific people.

Farulava stated that "Georgian Post", like all state LLCs and enterprises, was part of the partnership fund. In his words, Bidzina Ivanishvili created the fund after coming to power, Davit Saganelidze was appointed its head, and Ucha Mamacashvili was his deputy. The fund changed its name and is now called the "Georgian Fund", although state enterprises and LLCs are part of it, and Saganelidze is still its head.

According to Farulava, the post has a courier service and international shipments. The post must sign contracts with carrier companies that take shipments abroad, but intermediaries have emerged among them. For example, he named Merab Metreveli, who, in his words, simply takes a surcharge.

Farulava spoke about the same scheme in the energy sector. In his words, in 2019-2020 the rehabilitation of the Enguri HPP began, and Georgia increased electricity imports from neighboring countries, especially during the winter deficit period. According to Farulava, it was then that intermediary companies emerged, including those owned by Zurab Noghaideli and Sulkhan Papashvili. "Intermediary companies emerged, money went up, and the tariff increased for the people", he said, and added that electricity became 10 tetri more expensive over 6 years.

According to Farulava, Ivanishvili's scheme consisted of having "his man" in state enterprises. In his own words, Ucha Mamacashvili sued him and Vaso Urushadze for asking questions on these issues. Grigol Liluashvili sued Khabeishvili over the topic of call centers. Farulava said that for a year they were dragged through courts, were declared slanderers in an expedited manner, and were ordered to pay 15,000 lari. In his words, years later Irakli Kobakhidze says the same thing that they were exposing.

Farulava stated that Zurab Noghaideli was brought in as a witness in their court proceedings. In his words, Davit Narmania also came as a witness and said that electricity imports were not his responsibility and that this was a matter for other state enterprises.

According to the opposition politician, an investigation is necessary. "[Davit] Narmania should be in the Prosecutor's Office, not in GNERC, and should answer questions", he said, and added that Ivanishvili, Saganelidze and Mamacashvili should also be investigated.

According to Farulava, Irakli Kobakhidze's statement is "on the one hand an admission, and on the other hand he is also saying the right thing, but this needs an investigation". In his words, he does not want anyone arrested, and they must return what they stole from the people. "I do not want anyone arrested and this is not my business either, since Gharibashvili is in prison, did he return the money to us?" Farulava said.

Source: Interpressnews