Georgian Revenue Service rejects “misinformation” about import of sanctioned oil through Russian-flagged steamship

The Georgian Revenue Service on Thursday rejected as “misinformation” a story aired on Mtavari Arkhi channel and a statement made by Levan Khabeishvili, a member of the United National Movement opposition party, that alleged oil had been imported in the country in circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus since the start of the war in Ukraine. 

In its statement, the state body said the steamship Harmony, sailing under the Russian flag, had on Tuesday entered Georgia’s Poti seaport while loaded with 4181.184 tons of diesel fuel shipped from a Russian company to a Georgian enterprise. The body said the shipment had been intended for import customs procedures, but refrained from naming the companies, citing confidential tax information.

The Service noted that after the Maritime Transport Agency had screened the cargo, it confirmed the international sanctions did not apply to either the owner company or the shipment, and noted the information was available through open sources. 

The state body said after the completion of the customs control procedures, the cargo had been unloaded and entered into the import procedure in accordance with the legislation, and noted the Revenue Service and the Maritime Transport Agency were continuously checking both vessels and shipowners in relation to the sanctions.

In its comments, the Revenue Service also accused the media outlet of spreading “misinformation” with the aim of “misleading the public and discrediting the agency”.