Statement by Merab Ghoghoberidze
Merab Ghoghoberidze, head of the non-governmental organization “Georgia — Information Center for Combating Corruption,” has published a statement on social media, which we offer unchanged.
Condition of the G17 and Sanremo Buildings Years Ago
When we speak about G17 and Sanremo in the city of Batumi, we should first recall the condition these places were in years ago — two old, rusty, dilapidated, and practically unusable buildings.
A question arises: what did Georgian businessman Ednar Papunaishvili do wrong?
Purchase and Restoration of the Buildings
These two dilapidated buildings were purchased by a Georgian citizen in full compliance with the law, through an auction.
With his own investment, he restored and renovated them, created modern spaces, employed hundreds of Georgian citizens, and, according to circulated information, pays more than half a million GEL in taxes to the state budget every year.
Attitude Toward Georgian Business
So what does this mean? Is a person who brought abandoned and destroyed buildings back to life, employed hundreds of families, and pays such a large amount into the budget still supposed to be the target of complaints?
Assessment Must Be Based on Facts and Law
Any assessment of this issue must be based on facts and the law.
If anyone has a specific legal claim, it must be substantiated with relevant evidence and the law, not merely emotional assessments.
Support for Georgian Business
My support goes to Georgian business.
#GeorgianBusiness