**Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Drive: A Tool for Infighting or Genuine Reform?**
A recent anti-corruption effort by the Kobakhidze administration in Georgia has sparked debate over its true intentions. According to Grigol Gegelia, Foreign Secretary of “Lelo – For a Strong Georgia,” this campaign is nothing more than a tool for infighting and intra-clan conflict ahead of the elections.
Gegelia’s statement suggests that both those being arrested and those making the arrests are equally corrupt and mired in nepotism. This raises questions about the genuine commitment to anti-corruption efforts by the current administration. Gegelia emphasizes that the Georgian people are well-aware of the corruption-ridden system, but this latest drive has no connection to real anti-corruption.
**The Arrests and Allegations**
The State Security Service (SSS) has arrested former Deputy Minister of Defense Giorgi Khaindrava and two other individuals. The SSS claims that a court order led to their detention following operational-search and investigative measures by its Anti-Corruption Agency. The investigation allegedly revealed a scheme in which 1,333,728 GEL was embezzled from the state budget.
**A Tool for Internal Squabbling**
Gegelia’s commentary highlights the potential use of this anti-corruption campaign as a means to settle internal scores and clan warfare ahead of the elections. This raises concerns about the motivations behind the current administration’s actions, with some questioning whether genuine reform is being pursued or simply a power struggle.
As Georgia prepares for elections, it remains to be seen whether this anti-corruption drive will lead to meaningful change or further entrench the existing corrupt system. Gegelia’s words serve as a reminder that true accountability and transparency are still lacking in Georgian politics.
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