Who needs a “black list” of Georgian Businessmen?

Georgia is again trying to find a "Russian trace". Recently the Georgian media published a list of persons that allegedly financed the opposition during April-July rallies. Most of them live and work in Russia. GeorgiaTimes correspondent has tried to understand why the Georgian authorities are casting stones in the direction of Moscow while it is so politically calm at home.

Overall fervor in Georgia has gone down with the opposition movement completely slackened. The authorities feel like winners. What's the sense in the list of sponsors of the Georgian opposition that has appeared in the press?

As VZGLYAD reports there are 17 businessmen and ex governmental officials in the list that as the newspapers assert, set aside nearly USD 47 mln for spring and summer protest actions.

Going through the list of "infidels" (all those who oppose the Saakashvili regime are denominated as traitors in Georgia) a phrase comes to my mind: why, these are all familiar faces! Many times all those included in the list have been accused of moral and material support of the opposition by the authorities. Without any evidence though. But by PR laws, the revolutionary politicians are so fond of, it's most important to be the first to cry out and be the loudest.

Tbilisi does it with enviable regularity. Georgian business people that live and work in Russia were accused of financing the opposition. "Democratic movement - United Georgia leader Burdzhanadze was "caught" in associations with Mikhail Khubutia, the president of the Union of Georgians in Russia more than once. But to be honest, Nino Anzorovna is rather well off. Her father is a friend and a teammate of the country's ex president, he used to control the state corporation of bread products and was considered one of the richest men in Georgia.

Then there emerged a video footage featuring opposition leaders "begging" Russian oligarchs of Georgian origin for money. In summer the Georgian TV channels disseminated an Internet-posted video with opposition leaders Levan Gacheciladze, David Gamkrelidze (New Rights leader) meeting ex Interior Minister Kakha Targamadze. The parliamentarians were fiercely shaming opponents for allegedly Russian money. However the scandal quickly died away.

Then Petersburg businessman of Georgian origin Alexander Ebralidze was accused of financing the Mukhrovani mutiny. Though in a recent talk with GeorgiaTimes correspondent Ebralidze remarked the Georgian justice hadn't raised official charges against him.

So far only sculptor Zurab Tsereteli has not been accused of associations with the opposition. In 2006 he donated a sculpture of St. George the Victorious to Georgia (see photo). Probably official Tbilisi decided it was a small contribution from the eminent compatriot including him in the notorious list.

As VZGLYAD reports the list of "sponsors" of Georgian dissidents presented by the local media is headed by famous sculptor Zurab Tsereteli and Union of Georgians in Russia leader Mikhail Khubutia. Allegedly they gave USD 7 mln for the rallies each. USD 6 mln are attributed to ex leader of Ajaria Aslan Abashidze, USD 4 mln - to ex Interior Minister Kakha Targamadze and other 4 mln to Russian businessman of Georgian origin Alexander Ebralidze.

According to the media this is not a complete list. The total sum set aside for rallies against Georgia's current leadership is USD 80 mln. The opposition makes no comment on the "incriminating evidence" in the press.

Generally speaking, all this story of financing is an old song. The authorities and opposition sorted it out long ago.

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