Natia Turnava on Nana Keinishvili: We conducted an internal, documentary review to the extent possible; it is good that we referred the matter to the Prosecutor’s Office in a timely manner, and it is also welcome that the Prosecutor’s Office made a decision and submitted a request to Parliament
“It is very good that we referred the matter to the Prosecutor’s Office in a timely manner. It is also welcome that Nana Keinishvili made her decision and submitted a resignation request to Parliament,” National Bank of Georgia President Natia Turnava said, commenting on Keinishvili’s departure from the National Bank’s Board.
Turnava noted that “it is very unfortunate that questions and suspicions have arisen.”
“Within the scope of our authority, we conducted an internal review, including a documentary review, to the extent possible. Our legislation is indeed structured in such a way that staff members are not authorized to conduct such an investigation involving a member of the Board. It is very good that we referred the matter to the Prosecutor’s Office in a timely manner. The Prosecutor’s Office is conducting an investigation within its remit, and all questions will be answered.
“It is also welcome that Ms. Nana made her decision and submitted a request to Parliament. Before that, we had recused her from meetings of our Supervisory Board to avoid any additional questions in this regard until everything is clarified. As far as I know, Parliament will consider her resignation request in the near future,” Turnava said.
For reference, Nana Keinishvili, against whom the Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation, has left the National Bank’s Board.
The development follows the initiation of a criminal investigation by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia against National Bank Board member Nana Keinishvili on suspicion of the unlawful participation of a public official, or a person equated with one, in business activities.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation was launched based on statements submitted to the National Bank by the management of Bitexchange LLC and subsequently forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office.
“According to the statements submitted to the National Bank of Georgia by the management of Bitexchange LLC, along with the attached audio recordings, National Bank Board member Nana Keinishvili is involved in business activities and directly controls a network of enterprises subject to National Bank regulation, whose ownership stakes are registered in the names of her family member and persons affiliated with her.
“The same statements allege that Nana Keinishvili also attempted to acquire a stake in an enterprise subject to National Bank regulation, thereby seeking to expand her own business activities,” the Prosecutor’s Office said.
Following the launch of the investigation, the National Bank decided to recuse Keinishvili from her duties until the investigation is completed.
