“The more the country falls into isolation, the harder and more expensive it will become to attract investments and money, and the more ‘the Kocis’ will sign disadvantageous deals for us and hide them,” - wrote Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change,” in a letter sent from prison regarding the Arab company Eagle Hill.

Japaridze emphasized that he does not believe even 1% that there are thousands of Arab millionaires interested in putting money into Georgian real estate.

“The main question will appear in the contract that the authorities are hiding.

Regarding this Eagle Hill project, I’ve heard a lot from both sides. I even watched the promotional video of the leading ‘clown,’ yet I still feel we are not saying the main point clearly. Perhaps this is because the word ‘Arab’ is mentioned many times in every context, giving some of the natural supporters of the Kocis hope for approval or anger. Blessed are the believers.

Here I also say that if someone is not a criminal or terrorist, I see no problem with them living and working in this country, regardless of any label traditionally used to categorize people. I am against granting citizenship (easily) selectively. We need to decide the rules in this country. The more people come here to live and work, the better for both us and them. We should return citizenship to all former citizens who lost it due to idiotic laws.

Also, I don’t believe even 1% that there are thousands of Arab millionaires eager to invest in real estate in Georgia. Not thousands - I wouldn’t believe even five exist. Three Arabs? Even that I wouldn’t believe. Generally, I don’t believe that wealthy Arabs who were not interested in investing capital in Georgia while the country was rapidly moving westward suddenly became interested after the country became completely isolated. The logic just isn’t there. Rich Arabs are not fools.

Another point before I get to the main issue: for some reason, everyone talks about Krranis, a unique area, rare marshlands, the Patriarchate, etc. I have questions about Gonio. After Gonio comes Kvariati, then Sarpi, then Turkey, and small Turkish settlements. Where is there more territory for development: in Gonio and Georgia in general, or in Hopa and Turkey? Where is the sea better: in Gonio or Hopa? Where is the infrastructure better? Where is the service better? Where will construction be higher quality (and probably cheaper)? Where are more wealthy buyers (a bigger market)? Where is there better alignment with cultural preferences? Does Turkey care and would they not want a $6.5 billion investment? If $6.5 billion really comes from somewhere, why invest in Sarpi here and not Sarpi there? What are the ‘Kocis’ giving someone (doesn’t matter whose descendant) that the Turks wouldn’t provide? This is the main question. It will become clear in the hidden contract.

Therefore, they are hiding it. The main point we need to tell and explain to people is this: the more the country is isolated, the harder and more expensive it will become to attract investment and money, and the more the ‘Kocis’ will make us sign disadvantageous deals and hide them. Being cut off from civilization has always been costly,” - wrote Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze.