Georgian PM says Council of Europe’s anti-corruption report to be released after translation

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the fifth Evaluation Report of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe would be released after it was translated, and added Transparency International was “spreading lies” with its claim that the Government had “refused to publicly release” the document.

I will say frankly, this lie was spread by Transparency International, which should actually be called ‘National Obscurity’. When such lies are spread by this particular NGO, it is clear what their goal is”, he said.

He further said the Government had already given consent to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg to publish the report, with the remaining translation remaining as the “technical work”, which he said would be completed “in a few days”.

Transparency International earlier today called on the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Georgia to “immediately disclose” the GRECO Report. The Bureau also responded to the NGO by pointing out Georgian authorities had committed to translating reports into their native language and ensuring their public availability. 

The Bureau said it had “promptly initiated” the translation of the approved reports in accordance with “relevant regulations”. 

It added reports would be published on the official websites of both the Bureau and GRECO after translation.

The GRECO session in Strasbourg approved the Report on Georgia, which examined prevention of corruption and promotion of integrity in central governments and law enforcement agencies.