Georgia has become a “captured, kleptocratic state” where ruling elites enrich themselves and use state institutions to retain power, Transparency International (TI) Georgia said on 9 December in a statement marking International Anti-Corruption Day.

The watchdog said corruption in Georgia had reached “alarming” levels by the end of 2025, alleging that billionaire founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, oversees a system in which a “specific group” is allowed to profit from corruption and used to control state bodies.

According to TI-Georgia, “the process of state capture is complete,” with no independent institution able to investigate or openly address corruption. It said kleptocracy was “on the rise,” citing the number and nature of documented cases of elite corruption

The group described the government’s anti-corruption efforts as a “sham”, saying investigations largely target former ruling party members while high-level corruption cases go unresolved.

TI-Georgia also criticised plans to abolish the Anti-Corruption Bureau, arguing the agency had become a tool against civil society instead of fighting graft. Its dismantling, the group said, will leave core oversight functions — including asset monitoring, political finance oversight and whistle-blower protection — in a weaker state.

The organisation accused the government of ignoring international anti-corruption obligations, rejecting requirements from the European Commission and GRECO, and withdrawing from major international monitoring processes. Georgia has lacked a national anti-corruption strategy for five years, it added.

TI-Georgia said civil society’s role in decision-making had been eliminated by law, a move it said contradicts the UN Convention against Corruption and undermines efforts to combat elite graft.

The government says it is pursuing an “uncompromised” fight against corruption. Civil society groups dispute this, arguing that systemic high-level corruption remains unchecked.

TI-Georgia said restoring democratic governance and building independent institutions were essential for reducing corruption.