**Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili Slams Khazaradze and Japaridze Over Anaklia Port Case**
The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has launched a scathing attack on businessman Mamuka Khazaradze and politician Badri Japaridze over their failure to build the Anaklia Port. In a Facebook post, Papuashvili accused them of trying to destroy the country and praised international courts for exposing their alleged scams.
**A History of Alleged Scams**
Papuashvili highlighted that Khazaradze and Japaridze were involved in another scam three years ago, when they stole $17 million from a bank. They were sentenced to 7 years each and the bank was forced to pay a fine of $3 million. The Speaker also pointed out that these individuals had demanded $1.5 billion from citizens to build the Anaklia Port but had to return only $7.1 million to the budget.
**International Backing for Alleged Scammers**
Papuashvili’s comments were directed not just at Khazaradze and Japaridze, but also at foreign politicians and diplomats who will be meeting them in the future. He accused these individuals of being “patrons of this fraud” against the Georgian people.
**Membership to a European Alliance Under Scrutiny**
The Speaker also raised questions about the membership of Khazaradze and Japaridze in the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). Given that they have been exposed by multiple courts, it remains to be seen whether they will retain their membership or not. This has sparked speculation that they may have “bought” their membership.
**Conclusion**
Papuashvili’s strong words serve as a reminder of the alleged scams perpetrated by Khazaradze and Japaridze. As foreign politicians and diplomats engage with these individuals, it is essential to consider their track record and the implications of their actions on the Georgian people.
