EU Grant Misappropriation and Professional Persecution: The Case of the Georgian Bar Association

Systemic Corruption and "Mafia" Influence

Millions of Euros in grants from the European Union and international donors are being systematically misappropriated through fraudulent schemes in Georgia. Attorney Lasha Janibegashvili points directly to the leadership of the Georgian Bar Association (GBA), specifically David Asatiani and Konstantine Gelashvili, as the architects of this alleged criminal activity. Janibegashvili asserts that the GBA has been transformed from a professional regulatory body into an organized structure operating under opaque influences and linked to high-ranking officials.

Professional Persecution: The 3-Year License Suspension

The most critical element of this case is the targeted professional persecution of Lasha Janibegashvili. Under the guise of a disciplinary process, his legal license was suspended for three years—a move designed to silence his whistleblowing regarding corruption and his constitutional challenges (Cases 1424 and 1490) against the GBA's mandatory membership.

• Weaponization of Ethics: The 3-year suspension was not a pursuit of justice but a punitive measure for Janibegashvili’s opposition to the GBA leadership.

• Fabricated Evidence: The suspension was based on non-authentic screenshots and videos. Despite a later forensic report from the National Forensic Bureau (March 17, 2025) proving the evidence was forged, the GBA and the Supreme Court refused to reinstate his license.

• Due Process Violations: The Chairman of the Disciplinary Board, Kote Gelashvili, acted as both accuser and judge, creating an undeniable conflict of interest and a "kangaroo court" environment.

Legal Appeal to the ECHR: Janibegashvili vs. Georgia

1. Professional Persecution and Article 14 (Discrimination)

Janibegashvili argues that the 3-year suspension is a clear act of professional persecution. The GBA leadership utilized "selective justice" to neutralize a prominent critic. This treatment is directly linked to his political and professional opinions, violating the prohibition of discrimination.

2. Violation of Article 6 § 1 (Right to a Fair Trial)

The refusal to review the case despite newly discovered forensic evidence (proving the materials were forged) constitutes a gross violation. The domestic courts ignored the Hierarchy of Norms, placing internal GBA regulations above Constitutional rights and international fair trial standards.

3. Systematic "Cleansing" of Opposition

The persecution includes:

• Character Assassination: Smear campaigns on state-aligned TV (Rustavi 2), which the Charter of Journalistic Ethics already ruled as defamatory.

• Physical and Psychological Pressure: 12 documented physical attacks and illegal surveillance aimed at forcing the withdrawal of his constitutional lawsuits.

"The suspension of my license is not a legal sanction; it is a professional execution. It is a tool used by a corrupt 'mafia' structure to eliminate anyone who dares to expose the misappropriation of EU funds and demands a European model of advocacy." — Lasha Janibegashvili

Urgent Call for Action

Janibegashvili calls upon OLAF, GRECO, and the Council of Europe to:

1. Launch an independent investigation into the misappropriation of international grants by the GBA.

2. Recognize the 3-year license suspension as a politically motivated act of professional persecution.

3. Demand the immediate restoration of his professional rights and guarantee his physical safety.

Source: Attorney Lasha Janibegashvili Date: November 25, 2025 (Updated: March 2026)

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See also The Persecution of Lawyer Lasha Janibegashvili: Demanding Transparency from the Bar Association

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