Ruling party MP: Information on Russia smuggling sanctioned products using Georgian territory “provocation” and “false”

The information on Russia creating smuggling channels for sanctioned products using Georgian territory is “provocation” and “false”, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party MP Gia Tsagareishvili said on Monday. 

Tsagareishvili was speaking following a statement by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine making the allegation, and denied the information.

Tsagareishvili said some sources in Ukraine and among the Georgian opposition were spreading “lies” on the matter, calling it "shameful". He named Khatia Dekanoidze, a member of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party, among those sharing "fake", and “fabricated” stories. 

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, called the releasing of the information a  “disgusting accusation”, saying  “let's see how many leaders of the 'War Party' [UNM], and how many soldiers of the hybrid war, will choose a new form of betrayal and agree to the unheard-of, disgusting accusation against their homeland”.

The Ministry of Finance of Georgia said on Monday the information on Russia creating smuggling channels for sanctioned products using Georgian territory was “a completely baseless and absurd accusation.” The Ministry declared "with full responsibility" that “any type of goods, both military and of dual-use, as well as all the products that are included in the list of sanctions, are subject to strict customs control by the Georgian Government.”