Georgia Announces Dissolution of Anti-Corruption Bureau, Drawing EU Condemnation

Anti-Corruption Bureau Head Razhden Kuprashvili

Georgia has officially announced the dissolution of its Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), a move the European Commission (EC) immediately stated distances the country further from its path toward European Union membership.

Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili confirmed the abolishment, effective March 2, 2026. The ACB's primary function—collecting and monitoring asset declarations from officials, political parties, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—will be fully transferred to the State Audit Office (SAO). The government also plans to abolish the Personal Data Protection Service, transferring its functions to the SAO by the same date, and move the Business Ombudsman's office into the Ministry of Economy starting January 1, 2026.

Government Justification and Political Context

Papuashvili justified the reform by stating the functions of the ACB, which was established in December 2022 following a European Union recommendation, better fit the SAO, which he described as a "higher and more independent constitutional body" that aligns with international standards.

The Speaker framed the decision as a "step towards returning to the systemic arrangement to the constitutional framework," which he claimed had been "dictated to us from the outside." Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze echoed this sentiment, calling the bureau an "imposed, somewhat independent body." Papuashvili added that the reforms are also intended to optimize state resources, estimating an annual saving of approximately 20 million GEL. He maintained that combating corruption remains a top government priority.

The announcement comes amidst recent rumors regarding the dismissal of ACB head Razhden Kuprashvili, which both he and Papuashvili denied. It also follows a series of internal political purges and a high-profile corruption case involving former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili.

EU Reaction and ACB's Controversial Role

The European Commission representative, Guillaume Mercier, stated during a briefing in Brussels that the decision confirms Georgia is moving "further away" from EU accession. Mercier stressed that Georgia was required to ensure the independence and impartiality of its anti-corruption institutions as part of the criteria for obtaining EU candidate status.

Prior to its dissolution announcement, the ACB and its head, Kuprashvili, had been criticized for their instrumental role in the government’s crackdown on civil society and independent media, including auditing organizations like Indigo under the grants law.