“More than 42,000 beneficiaries of free cafeterias were deprived of money even from meals valued at GEL 1.70. Georgian Dream replaced companies accused of misappropriating millions from food intended for socially vulnerable citizens with companies behind which donors to Georgian Dream stand,” Tornike Artqmeladze, a member of Strong Georgia – Lelo, said.

According to him, the authorities must answer questions such as why Tbilisi City Hall trusts businesses linked to people who finance the ruling party when it comes to free cafeterias and why maximum transparency was not made a priority.

“The fact that the plundering of the Georgian people through corrupt deals is systemic under the Georgian Dream government is demonstrated by public admissions from a former prime minister and other high-ranking government officials. The Georgian army, kindergarten children, and school students were affected, and more than 42,000 beneficiaries of free cafeterias were deprived of money even from meals valued at GEL 1.70.

“These are no longer isolated cases of corruption; this is a system in which state resources go into the pockets of people close to Georgian Dream instead of benefiting the public.

“Georgian Dream replaced companies accused of misappropriating millions from food intended for socially vulnerable citizens with companies behind which Georgian Dream donors stand. In the 2026 tenders for providing free meals in three districts of Tbilisi — Saburtalo, Nadzaladevi, and Samgori — LLC Luka 2005 won contracts worth almost GEL 11 million without facing any competition. This comes against the background that the company’s director, Iuza Joglidze, donated GEL 60,000 to Georgian Dream in 2020.

“The company is owned by Iasha Chachua, one of whose companies, Ili Group, is on a list of companies warned by the Penitentiary Service over improperly fulfilled obligations.

“As for Vake, Mtatsminda, Didube-Chughureti, and Isani, the winning company, LLC Tandemi, also received contracts totaling nearly GEL 6 million without competition. It is noteworthy that in all cases, the companies used the entire amount allocated by the district administrations.

“What has changed in the free cafeteria system since five people were arrested over the alleged misappropriation of GEL 3.5 million from the food program for socially vulnerable citizens? Apart from the fact that these individuals were released on bail, none of the senior officials alleged to have protected them has been punished.

“A new tender was announced for free cafeteria services, and once again the winners were companies and individuals whose political ties to Georgian Dream raise questions in the public eye.

“The authorities must answer the simplest question: Why does Tbilisi City Hall trust, in matters concerning free cafeterias, businesses linked to people who finance the ruling party? Why was maximum transparency not made a priority? And how are we supposed to believe that the system changed after the discovery of one corruption scheme if the business interests of the same political circle continue to appear in the management of public funds?

“This is particularly serious because we are talking about food for the poorest residents of Tbilisi — people who need municipal assistance for their daily meals. For them, the cost of one meal remains just GEL 1.70, and according to the investigation materials, millions of lari were allegedly misappropriated from this GEL 1.70.

“This raises the question: whose pockets is the money allocated for meals for socially vulnerable citizens going into now? Could the funds allocated for food for socially vulnerable people be filling the Georgian Dream’s party coffers, which are then used for multimillion-lari representational expenses by government members, including entertainment at restaurants?!

“These questions must be answered. Most importantly, amid the sharp rise in prices, funding for free cafeterias must be increased so that companies selected under fair conditions can provide quality meals for our fellow citizens,” Tornike Artqmeladze said.