Infrastructure Minister says opposition has brought “no evidence” for corruption, embezzlement claims

Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze on Thursday told the country’s Parliament claims by a part of the domestic opposition on his office being involved in corruption and embezzlement could not be proven by those making the allegations “because there is no such thing”.

Karseladze was commenting on the claims made by lawmakers during their comments at the Parliament, and said they had “not presented any evidence” since his spell at the Ministry starting in 2018.

They talk about corruption, [and state] tenders, but there is no specific argument that [shows] any tender where participation for potential bidders is limited”, Karseladze said.

The Minister made the remarks as part of his report on the work of his office throughout 2022 to lawmakers, and answered questions of MPs to provide “additional information” about implemented and ongoing infrastructure projects.

• Minister’s 2022 summary highlights road, water infrastructure, ongoing projects to Parliament

The Minister also responded to claims of Giorgi Vashadze, an MP from the Strategy Agmashenebeli opposition party, who said the Logistics Performance Index by the World Bank had cited Georgia’s infrastructure as not being in a “favourable position”. Karseladze said “no-one” within the scope of this study had requested related information from his office. 

I do not want anyone to get an impression as if I am belittling the research, but there is simply no data on the basis of which it was conducted”, he said.

He also told MPs “all projects” implemented across Georgia were “being done for our people” and aimed at the development of the country. 

Karseladze said infrastructural projects being developed in the country were “prerequisites” making Georgia not only ready for receiving the European Union membership candidate status, but also for “full membership” in the bloc.