US Embassy Expresses Concern over Charges Against TBC Founders
The US Embassy to Georgia has expressed concern regarding the context and timing of the charges the Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office has filed against TBC Bank co-founders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze. The Embassy released a statement about it on Thursday.
“We are closely following developments related to the criminal charges the Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office has filed against TBC Bank co-founders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze. We are concerned about the context and timing of these charges.
"An impartial and transparent legal system that is free of political influence is vital for Georgia’s Western integration and its ability to attract foreign investment.
"We continue to support the Anaklia [Deep Sea] Port project, a significant source of US investment in Georgia that has the potential to advance the country’s economic growth,” the statement reads.
On Wednesday, the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia charged Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze of laundering $16,754.000.
“Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze are charged for the laundering of $16,754.000, as a result of which they received a large amount of income,” reads the statement of the Prosecutor General's Office.
The Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia launched an investigation into laundering on 2 August 2018.
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By Ana Dumbadze