First Georgian company declared 'sponsor of Russian war'

The National Agency on Corruption Prevention for the first time recognized a company from Georgia as a war sponsor. Bolero winemaking group, owned by Vakhtang Karichashvili, was added to the list, according to the NACP website.

"Although Georgia itself became a victim of Russian aggression in 2008, some Georgian companies, forgetting their history, continue to actively cooperate with the Russian Federation," reads the NACP message.

Bolero actively sells its products to Russia, despite its aggression against Ukraine. From January 2022 to October 2023, it exported $68 million worth of goods to Russia. Thus, the Georgian group continues to actively support Russia's economy and, accordingly, sponsor aggression against Ukraine.

In addition to the fact that the Russian market brings a significant part of the company's income, it also actively cooperates with the businesses of sanctioned Russians: Aleksandr Vinokurov (Magnit Group), Igor Kesayev and Sergey Katsiyev (Bristol Retail Logistics).

There were no attempts by the company's management to condemn Russia's war against Ukraine.

The company Bolero & Company is part of the Georgian industrial and trade group, which also includes the companies Gruzvinprom, K and Georgian Spirit, Universal Spirit, as well as the warehouse terminal in Poti. Together, the companies of the group process more than half of the grapes grown in Georgia.

The beneficiary of Bolero & Company, Vakhtang Karichashvili, is a business partner of Ucha Mamatsashvili, Bidzina Ivanishvili's cousin.