Georgian MPs accuse Saakashvili of misuse of budget funds

On April 17, the MPs from the "Georgian Dream" accused President Mikhail Saakashvili of spending much money from the secret budget of the Special State Security Service on entertainments, personal whims, as well as gifts. Saakashvili, in his turn, has noted that the financial expenses were aimed at improving the image of Georgia and attraction of investments.

As stated today in the parliament by Deputy Irina Imerlishvili, we can speak about non-target embezzlement of millions of laris.

"The hysteria, which began at the time, when the State Security Service was transferred from the jurisdiction of the President under the authority of the government, was due to the fact that all the documentation and the expenses had been kept secret. After the Service was moved under the authority of the government, we appealed to the Prosecutor's Office that we want to know the expenses of the Service. The received materials were shocking," said Imerlishvili.

According to her story, the documents say that in 2013 the president, his colleagues and friends celebrate the New Year in Dubai, on which 240,000 laris (about 150,000 US dollars) were spent. And in October 2010, Mikhail Saakashvili and the Tbilisi Mayor had their rest on an expensive resort, which cost the treasury 115,000 laris (about 70,000 US dollars), the RIA "Novosti" reports.

Besides, according to the parliamentary majority, the same source was used to buy expensive gifts. Saakashvili presented the Russian journalist Ksenia Sokolova with gold items worth 2800 laris (about 1700 US dollars). The budget of the Special State Security Service also paid for Sokolova's accommodation in the hotel during her visit to Tbilisi in September 2010 in the sum of 9500 laris (5800 US dollars), the "News-Georgia" reports.

Besides, as Ms Imerlishvili has added, "the Spanish cook of the president, his accommodation and an interpreter cost the people of Georgia half a million laris (about 350,000 US dollars)." In accordance with the obtained documents, the paid expenses included also Victor Yuschenko's bath service in April 2011 (591 laris).

The parliamentary majority also believes that the budget of the State Security Service was also used by the president to give phones and expensive bouquets as gifts (in January 2012) and to pay for the studies of his son. Besides, 39,206 laris were spent on president's guests at Batumi hotels in 2012.

In his turn the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, asserts that the money from the budget of the State Security Service had been used to promote the country's image and attract investments.

"Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in Georgia; all as a result of our visits, dinners and meetings. Shouldn't we receive guests in Georgia at the highest level?" asked Saakashvili.