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“legalise” (launder) any funds obtained by way of loan; conceal the “illegal origins” of the loan funds; or integrate the funds back into the legitimate economy.
However, the report does not exclude the crime of misappropriation. At the same time, the report determines that misappropriation “cannot now be prosecuted as a stand-alone offence, nor can it be proven as a predicate crime because of the statutory time limitation”.
Khazaradze and Japaridze last year founded an opposition political party (Lelo). They are facing a criminal investigation into money laundering allegations involving a $17mn transaction. The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia launched the investigation on 2 August 2018.
The duo’s bank accounts were seized in August 2020. The Prosecutor's Office applied to the court with the relevant motion, having officially charged the accused in July. Khazaradze and Japaridze posted bail ordered by Tbilisi City Court, of Georgian lari (GEL) 700,000 each, on July 26.
Tsereteli, a businessman and father of the owner of TV Pirveli, and a critical voice when it comes to Georgian Dream, was charged for being complicit in the alleged laundering scheme.
2.6​ ​Georgia recalls its ambassador from Ukraine after Saakashvili’s appointment
Georgia is recalling its ambassador in Kyiv for consultations following the appointment of former Georgian president and ex-Odessa governor Mikheil Saakashvili ​to the post of chairman of the Ukrainian president's Executive Committee on Reforms​.
"This is routine practice in diplomatic relations that indicates the emergency of certain problems in bilateral relations. Therefore consultations with the ambassador are needed to determine future steps," news agency Interfax quoted Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani as saying on May 8.
Despite this decision made by Ukraine, "Georgia is not considering the possibility of breaking off diplomatic relations or reviewing the strategic partnership," the minister said.
In April, Kyiv​ ​failed to appoint Saakashvili​ to the post of Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for Reforms due to the lack of votes in the nation's parliament. Georgian authorities would have viewed this as an ​“unfriendly and unacceptable step from a strategic partner,”​ ​Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine Teimuraz Sharashenidze said at the time.
"You know that Saakashvili was found guilty by the Georgian state, put on the international wanted list by Georgian judiciary. At one time there was an appeal to the Ukrainian side about the detention and departure of Saakashvili from Georgia, and the materials of the criminal cases were transferred," news agency Interfax quoted Sharashenidze as saying on April 24.
"In addition, it should be recalled that this person has repeatedly called for the
11​ GEORGIA Country Report ​June 2020 ​ ​www.intellinews.com