Until 2008, Bidzina Ivanishvili was helping the state in strengthening the resources of the army and the police, and he had a contribution to the prevention of corruption; he was serving the cause of consolidating the state, however, all of this was not appreciated by the government of that time. Such a statement made today the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Responding to recent remarks by “Ahali’s” Nika Gvaramia, he dismissed attacks on Bidzina Ivanishvili’s early financial assistance to the state.

“Bidzina Ivanishvili not only funded major philanthropic endeavours, but even directly subsidised the salaries of public servants. In light of this, commenting on such shameful, cheap political declarations feels utterly pointless.

Up until 2008, Ivanishvili actively assisted the state by reinforcing the capacity of both the armed forces and the police force, while contributing directly to preventing public sector corruption. His commitment was to reinforcing state institutions, a contribution the regime of the time failed to appreciate.

That regime subsequently rigged the elections on a massive scale, triggered a war, and oversaw a catalogue of abuses from 2008 onwards, compelling Ivanishvili to completely distance himself from the authorities. Before that, he was directly involved in consolidating state institutions, particularly the military, the police, and the civil service. He made an invaluable contribution to strengthening those institutions, a contribution that those mired in corruption proved incapable of valuing.

When the army lacked basic clothing, and Bidzina Ivanishvili ensured our soldiers were provided with proper uniforms, that was not assistance to the United National Movement. Nor was it political aid when he paid salary supplements to civil servants facing corruption risks; that was a direct investment in state capacity”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.