The News in Brief
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
BBC's Investigative Report Alleges Georgia's Former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili's Involvement in Global Fraud Scheme
BBC has published an investigative piece on a billion-dollar scam titled "the scammers who will steal your life savings" about the global fraud scheme with the alleged involvement of Georgia's former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili and his business partners.
The journalistic investigation concerns the case of so-called call centers, Milton Group and the connection of this company with Kezerashvili. The call centers and scams themselves have been reported by Western media before, but the BBC reports that they have now tracked down the people behind the scheme and their connections.
According to the BBC, the Milton Group, which was used by fraudsters, was investigated by the police and closed in 2020. Journalists identified 152 brands, including well-known platforms, which were actually part of this network.
Kezerashvili responded to the allegations and denied his involvement, saying he has never been involved in the so-called call centers who scam people into investing their money.
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani Meets with Parliament of Georgia Chairman Shalva Papuashvili
After the procedure for accreditation of media representatives was approved in the Parliament, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani met with the chairman of Parliament of Georgia.
According to the newly adopted procedure, the two types of accreditation will be issued to media representatives: a parliamentary journalist, which will have a term of one year, and a special (one-time) accreditation.
Levan Ioseliani told reporters that the public defender will be involved in the format of a friend of the court regarding media restrictions, and said that they will present a 'substantiated' opinion on the validity of the proportionality of the restrictions.
"An important part of the Public Defender's recommendations, among them, is addressed to the Parliament. Therefore, it is important for me that the Parliament pays attention to these recommendations and their implementation. We were talking about defining this work format. Implementation of the recommendations given to the Parliament by the Public Defender significantly improves the human rights situation. Therefore, this issue is a priority for me.
We also talked about media restrictions. This issue has been appealed in court and the public defender will be involved as a friend of the court. Media organizations have appealed to us and we will submit our reasoned opinion on the proportionality of these restrictions to the court. I received the appropriate approval that the cooperation with the Parliament will be continued more actively," stated Ioseliani.
BBC's Investigative Report Alleges Georgia's Former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili's Involvement in Global Fraud Scheme
The journalistic investigation concerns the case of so-called call centers, Milton Group and the connection of this company with Kezerashvili. The call centers and scams themselves have been reported by Western media before, but the BBC reports that they have now tracked down the people behind the scheme and their connections.
According to the BBC, the Milton Group, which was used by fraudsters, was investigated by the police and closed in 2020. Journalists identified 152 brands, including well-known platforms, which were actually part of this network.
Kezerashvili responded to the allegations and denied his involvement, saying he has never been involved in the so-called call centers who scam people into investing their money.
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani Meets with Parliament of Georgia Chairman Shalva Papuashvili
According to the newly adopted procedure, the two types of accreditation will be issued to media representatives: a parliamentary journalist, which will have a term of one year, and a special (one-time) accreditation.
Levan Ioseliani told reporters that the public defender will be involved in the format of a friend of the court regarding media restrictions, and said that they will present a 'substantiated' opinion on the validity of the proportionality of the restrictions.
"An important part of the Public Defender's recommendations, among them, is addressed to the Parliament. Therefore, it is important for me that the Parliament pays attention to these recommendations and their implementation. We were talking about defining this work format. Implementation of the recommendations given to the Parliament by the Public Defender significantly improves the human rights situation. Therefore, this issue is a priority for me.
We also talked about media restrictions. This issue has been appealed in court and the public defender will be involved as a friend of the court. Media organizations have appealed to us and we will submit our reasoned opinion on the proportionality of these restrictions to the court. I received the appropriate approval that the cooperation with the Parliament will be continued more actively," stated Ioseliani.