Smuggling on Georgia-Azerbaijan border

Smuggling on Georgia-Azerbaijan border

Six tons of fuel imported from Azerbaijan last November by Besarion Verulashvili, the brother of MP Marika Verulashvili, was able to elude customs officials and avoid paying duties. According to the head of financial police, Davit Geladze, the vehicle “LLK-786” carrying the load was stopped on the territory of Lagodekhi police. However, surprisingly enough, two tons of fuel leaked from the car and no one noticed this.

The fact that the authority from Kakheti import great amounts of fuel from Azerbaijan and avoid the customs office is widely known. Furthermore, the inhabitants say they have the proving facts of the illegal actions committed by the authority. The car carrying the barrels of fuel, which belonged to the governor of Kakheti Petre Tsiskarishvili, turned over in the gorge of Baisubani. The leaked fuel was immediately covered with the sand in order to prevent information from spreading. However, the police knew the about the incident, but there was no reaction from them. “Unlike for the poor people, importing fuel from Azerbaijan is a good, though illegal, business for the authority,” says G. Khutsishvili, the inhabitant of Baisubani.

Davit Geladze, the head of financial police of Kakheti, was asked to make some comments about the illegal import of the fuel by Besarion Verulashvili. He confirmed the fact and advised that we speak to Rusudan Donadze, the head of the press service of the financial police, for additional detailed information. “This fact is not known to me. Geladze could not confirm the fact as because it did not take place at all,” highlighted Donadze and disconnected.

Guram Salova is the owner of the car carrying the fuel and was detained by Lagodekhi police. The statement of the case was drawn up and sent to the regional court. The judge Nana Chalatashvili considered the case and sent it for the execution. According to the court decision, Besarion Verulashvili was forced to pay 30 000 laris for the budget. Later, the court decision was appealed to the Appeals Court in Tbilisi.

“Lagodekhi regional court handed us the execution order several days ago. I sequestrated only 4010 liters instead of 5727 liters of fuel because 1717 liters leaked for the car. The financial police reported this fact as well.  At the moment, the appeals court is considering the case and if the court decision remains unchanged, Verulashvili will have to pay the sum and Sarov will be able to take his car back,” says Mamiuka Begiashvili, the executor of Lagodekhi region.

It is still unknown whether Besarion Verulashvili will pay the sum of 30 000 laris. It turned out to be impossible to talk to him. We tried to talk to Marika Verulashvili but this also proved unsuccessful.

Gela Mtivlishvili from Kakheti