A business partner of Bidzina Ivanishvili's cousin received 56 million GEL from the state budget - საერთაშორისო გამჭვირვალობა - საქართველო
GEO

A business partner of Bidzina Ivanishvili's cousin received 56 million GEL from the state budget

24 July, 2025

In 2014-2024, the companies of Vakhtang Karichashvili, a business partner of Bidzina Ivanishvili's cousin Ucha Mamatsashvili, received 56 million GEL from state-funded agricultural programs. At the same time, Karichashvili's companies and company directors donated 783 thousand GEL to the Georgian Dream.

Vakhtang Karichashvili’s 8 companies received agricultural subsidies of 56 million GEL in total, while 25 million GEL were received in 2024 alone. The largest amount, 10.8 million GEL, was received by LLC “Bolero & Company”. This company received 4.3 million GEL only in 2024. According to the 2023 financial report of LLC “Bolero & Company”, the company had a net profit of 10.2 million GEL in 2023.

In 2024, a total of 196 million GEL of government subsidies were issued for agricultural programs, and Vakhtang Karichashvili's companies received 13% of this amount. All of this money was issued within the framework of the preferential agro-credit project.

On January 28, 2025, Vakhtang Karichashvili, together with several individuals, founded the "Georgian-Russian Business Association". Together with Ucha Mamatsashvili, he owns LLC "Melikishvili Inn", which opened the "Afisha" hotel on Melikishvili Avenue on October 17, 2024. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze attended the opening of the hotel. In November 2023, Vakhtang Karichashvili was placed on the recommended sanctions list by the Ukrainian corruption prevention agency for his cooperation with Russia. Vakhtang Karichashvili has dual Georgian-Russian citizenship.

Vakhtang Karichashvili's companies - LLC “Bolero & Company“ and LLC “GVMT Group“ are among the 10 largest wine exporters from Georgia to Russia.

Vakhtang Karichashvili first donated 120,000 GEL to the Georgian Dream in 2016. He made the donation through his company LLC “Bolero & Company”. In 2018, another of his companies, LLC “Milada International” donated 100,000 GEL to the party. At other times, the directors of his companies donated money to the Georgian Dream. Five directors donated 563,000 GEL between 2017 and 2025. Four of them, Irakli Bekauri (60 thousand GEL), Davit Bochorishvili (40 thousand GEL), Kakhaber Gabeshia (30 thousand GEL) and Giorgi Bolotauri (10 thousand GEL), donated money to the Georgian Dream in 2025.

Table: Vakhtang Karichashvili's companies that received subsidies from agricultural programs

 

Money received from agricultural programs, GEL

Directors and companies that donated money to the Georgian Dream

Companies

2024 y

2014-2024 yy

Director

GEL

LLC “Bolero & Company”

4,324,337

10,788,125

Irakli Bekauri, Davit Botchorishvili, LLC “Bolero & Company”

567,000

LLC "Gruzvinprom"

3,602,446

10,102,300

Mamuka Potolashvili

50,000

LLC "GVMT Group"

3,820,392

8,701,217

Giorgi Bolotaruri

26,000

LLC "Universal Spirit"

3,450,976

7,806,173

Vladimer Potopashvili

 

LLC “Milada International”

3,275,450

7,112,053

LLC “Milada International”

100,000

LLC “United Distilleries of Georgia”

3,275,378

6,755,768

Irakli Bekauri

 

შპს “Lama 1”

3,275,450

3,275,450

Giorgi Bolotaruri

 

შპს “Atena 1”

281,116

1,599,707

Kakhaber Gabeshia

40,000

Total

25,305,544

56,140,793

Total

783,000

Information source: https://www.companyinfo.ge; https://www.transparency.ge/politicaldonations/

 

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