False Data in United National Movement Financial Report

Natia Danelishvili, Information Center of Kakheti

According to a financial report submitted to the Central Election Commission, 279 legal entities and 171 physical persons donated to the election campaign of the United National Movement (UNM) from February to May in 2010. In private conversations with the Information Center of Kakheti (ICK), several physical persons mentioned in the financial report denied having donated to the ruling party.

The United National Movement report states that Gigo Elanidze from Kvemo Alvani village in Akhmeta district donated 1000 lari to the election fund of the ruling party on March 29, 2010. “I have never transferred money directly to anybody,” Gigo Elanidze told ICK.

-What do you mean by “direct transfer”?

-I have not transferred money to anybody; who has told you that? I have not transferred money to anybody, to any party. I am not a member of that party.

Gigo Elanidze has a large, two-storied house and owns metal, plastic and glass factories in Kvemo Alvani.

According to the report, Shota Biniashvili, resident of Ketevan Tsamebuli Street # 5 in Telavi, also donated 1 000 lari to the UNM, on March 15, 2010. “Of course I haven’t transferred anything. Why should I have made a transfer? To whom did I donate? The National Movement? Luckily I haven’t transferred money to the Georgian Dream,” Biniashvili said.

Shota Beniashvili owns a photo-studio on Erekle II Street in Telavi where he sells cell-phones, cameras and other electronics. He has two houses in central Telavi, one is his home on Ketevan Tsamebuli Street # 5 and the other one is rented out.

The ruling party’s financial report states that Levan Peikrishvili from Vardisubani village in Telavi district also transferred 1000 lari to the UNM on March 16, 2010. Levan Peikrishvili is working in Turkey. His wife and son categorically denied information about any money transfer. “What nonsense; he has been unemployed for such a long time, how could he donate to them? Not long ago, he went to Turkey to work,” Nona Peikrishvili, Levan’s wife said. Their one-floor house does not look respectable at all.

Giorgi Botkoveli, coordinator of the United National Movement’s Kakheti office: “Those transfers are controlled from the central office. I cannot answer your questions. Moreover, I was not head of the election HQ in 2010.”

Despite many attempts, ICK could not get in touch with UNM leader Zurab Melikishvili; vice-speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Mikheil Machavariani did not answer phone calls either.

Reportedly, the ruling party spent the most funds – 14 113 311 lari on the self-government elections on May 30, 2010 while other political parties spent only 100 000 lari for election purposes. Companies and organizations donated only to the National Movement during the pre-election campaign.

One of these companies is Patardzeuli Ltd located in Patardzeuli village in Sagarejo district, a producer of eggs. Otar Muchiashvili is the director of the company. On February 24, 2010 his company donated 13 500 lari to the UNM and then an additional 6 500 lari on February 25 – making for a total donation of 20 000 lari. Muchiashvili said the government tries to develop business and his company supports their policy.

Natural Air Ltd owns several gas stations in Kakheti region. Shota Deminashvili is the owner of the company. In 2004, Deminashvili was arrested for financial violations but after paying money he was soon released. Afterwards, he has had close relations with high-ranking officials in the government. In 2010, Natural Air Ltd transferred 50 000 lari to the National Movement for the local self-governmental elections. At the same time, the company funded rehabilitation works in the Telavi district administration building which hosts the Kakheti regional administration’s office too. According to official information, the local budget did not allocate funds for the rehabilitation activities.

Ruji Ltd is registered on Marx Street #20 in Kvareli. The company transferred 30 000 lari to the National Movement on February 26, 2010. Ruji Ltd is one of two companies that received a lucrative loan of 4 500 000 lari based on a decree of the Georgian Prime-Minister “For the Promotion of Winery Development” in 2009-2010. The company had to purchase wine with the money but did not purchase wine from local factories.

The road construction company Ltd Serpantin is registered on Paliashvili Str. #27 in Telavi. On March 17, 2010 the Company transferred 50 000 lari to the election fund of the UNM. In 2010 Serpantin won several bids in the Kakheti region. It owns stone and asphalt factories in Ruispiri village in Telavi district.

Businessman Guram Berikashvili donated 10 000 lari to the UNM before elections. Ltd Aisi (Gurjaani ice-cream) donated money to the UNM election fund on April 8, 2010. Guram Berikashvili is a close ally of the government. He is a member of the Gurjaani municipal board, representing the National Movement.

The company Concord Ltd donated 100 000 lari to the UNM; it is registered on Alazani Avenue, in Telavi. There is no other information available about the company’s activities.

Gzamsheni 2005 Ltd donated 1 000 lari to the UNM; Aidin Boik, Ltd donated 2 000 lari; Arkstudia Telavi, Ltd donated 11 000 lari; Telavi Group, Ltd, Nota Ltd, Western Record, Ltd, Nasadgomari Ltd, Firm Gold, Ltd and Imedi Ltd each donated 1 000 lari to the UNM; Agrosfero-Gurjaani Ltd donated 5 000 lari; Company AT Ltd donated 2 000 lari and Sagarejo Agricultural Market donated 100 lari; etc.

Various organizations donated funds to the UNM after the elections too. According to the final report provided to the CEC, Sagarejo based Kavkasavtomagistrali Ltd donated 80 000 lari to the ruling party on May 31, 2010.

Kavkasavtomagistrali Ltd won several bids announced by the Transportation Department. It implements rehabilitation projects of roads, gasification, drinking-water supply activities and mostly works in Kakheti region.

In 2009, Kavkasavtomagistrali received 14 500 000 lari for the rehabilitation of the 99 km-long Akhmeta-Pshaveli-Kvareli-Ninigori motorway.