**Government Infighting: Gharibashvili’s Clan Under Attack**
A deepening crisis within Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has led to a series of arrests that are more about internal power struggles than genuine efforts to combat corruption. This is according to Aleko Elisashvili, a leader of the opposition coalition Lelo – Strong Georgia.
Elisashvili claims that the detention of former Deputy Minister of Defense Giorgi Khaindrava and two others by the State Security Service is actually an attack on Gharibashvili’s entourage. “This is an internal clan conflict,” he said. “Georgian Dream is in crisis, they’re fighting each other, and these arrests are a way to destroy Gharibashvili’s clan.”
**Internal Power Struggle**
Elisashvili’s comments suggest that the recent arrests are more about party politics than genuine efforts to combat corruption. The Ministry of Defense has denied any wrongdoing, and Elisashvili agrees that this is not related to embezzlement or corruption within the ministry.
In reality, the State Security Service has detained three individuals – former Deputy Minister of Defense Giorgi Khaindrava, former Head of the Procurement Department Vladimer Ghudushauri, and a close relative of the then-Minister of Defense, Vladimer Mkheidze. According to reports, they have been accused of embezzling 1,333,728 GEL from the Georgian state budget.
However, Elisashvili’s statement indicates that this is more about an internal power struggle within Georgian Dream than a genuine effort to hold anyone accountable for corruption. “The Ministry of Defense, corruption, and the fight against corruption have nothing to do with it,” he said. “This is an internal clan conflict.”
**Crisis Within Georgian Dream**
Elisashvili’s comments also suggest that Georgia’s ruling party is in crisis mode. The European Union has expressed strict concerns over Georgia’s democratic process, and the US administration has seemingly distanced itself from the government.
In this context, Elisashvili’s statement takes on a deeper significance. It suggests that Georgian Dream’s infighting is not just about power struggles within the party but also reflects a broader crisis of legitimacy and trust among international partners.
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