Alarmed by increasing pressure on civil society in Georgia, secretariat of Transparency International published a special statement.

"Transparency International Georgia reported that leaked audio files appear to show the existence of a scheme designed to control the Georgian tobacco market to the benefit of high-level government officials, the ruling Georgian Dream party, and members of the judiciary. Following the revelations, and a call by the leading civil society organizations for the Georgian authorities to launch an investigation into the allegations, in an apparent attempt to divert attention, the Executive Secretary of Georgian Dream and chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze, labelled the leaders of the civil society organizations, including TI Georgia, "supporters of Fascism”, - is mentioned in the statement, - "Particularly in the run-up to the 28 October elections, Transparency International joins its Georgian chapter in urging the government to refrain from making baseless accusations that could hamper the work of civil society election observers. The government must also fully investigate allegations of grand corruption arising from the leaked audio files”.

Source: https://www.transparency.ge/en