Ruling party official: no bodies, states have found “even one case” of Georgian Gov’t helping Russia circumvent sanctions

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said “none of the competent bodies” or states had found “even one case” of the Georgian Government helping Russia to circumvent the sanctions imposed on it for its invasion of Ukraine.

In his remarks over the matter, Mdinaradze said the “narrative” alleging the Government was assisting Russia in evading the sanctions was a “daily occurrence” on opposition-minded TV channels.

It is often said that such a perception [of sanctions evasion] exists. Yes, those who are United National Movement supporters do have such a wrong perception and feeling, [but] if someone receives more objective information, such a perception and feeling does not arise. What is important is not perception and feeling, but what is actually happening”, Mdinaradze told the local media.

“Any perception and feeling is secondary in comparison with the facts. The fact is different: none of the competent bodies, countries, objective observers, including representatives of the sanctions group, have found a single case that Georgia took any action that would help Russia circumvent the sanctions”, the ruling party official noted.

Mdinaradze also noted the visit of sanctions officials from the European Union, United Kingdom and United States to Georgia earlier this month and said the officials had “thanked the Georgian authorities [for our] solid position [on sanctions prevention] and [...] correct, qualified connection between the European structures and the Georgian Customs and Revenue Service”.