Georgian State Security Service investigates disclosure of state secrets
The investigation is being conducted by the General Inspection of the State Security Service. Photo: State Security Service Of Georgia/Facebook.
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The Georgian State Security Service has launched an investigation into the disclosure of state secrets under the classification of ‘secret,’ the body reported earlier today.
The official statement of the State Security Service reads that the facts of public information dissemination about the official duties of the body’s staff and officials have become more frequent recently, noting that it ‘clearly violates the law on State Secrets.’
The body announced that the investigation is underway ‘in order to identify persons involved in possible criminal acts and prevent further disclosure of information containing state secrets,’ the statement said.
State Security Service did not specify the exact basis of the investigation, noting that it is under the classification ‘secret’ which prohibits the dissemination of additional information on the case.
Georgian online media outlet on.ge reported that the recently launched investigation might be connected to the opposition-minded TV channel Mtavari Arkhi’s Director Nika Gvaramia’s accusations that the ruling Georgian Dream party executes ‘mass illegal surveillance’ of politicians, members of NGOs, foreign diplomats and the ruling party’s members.
On the other hand, Radio Liberty Georgian service reported that the investigation might be related to a former member of the Georgian Dream party and current Chairman of the NGO Civic Development and Monitoring Centre Giorgi Kuparadze, who posted on Facebook earlier today that the State Security Service ‘entered his office.’
The investigation is ongoing under the second part of Article 320 of the Georgian Criminal Code - the disclosure of state secrets.
The investigation is being conducted by the General Inspection of the State Security Service.
Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Kakhaber Sabanadze resigned earlier today amid reports from Mtavari Arkhi and TV Pirveli TV channels on illegal surveillance and hampering an opposition protest back in 2019.
Director of the opposition-minded Mtavari-Arkhi TV channel Nika Gvaramia released a ‘script obtained from the country’s State Security Service’ yesterday which ‘confirms the agency is making illegal recordings of politicians, members of NGOs, foreign diplomats, as well as members of the ruling party.’
With 93 votes for and 21 against the Georgian Parliament has adopted the final draft of a law on surveillance overturning President Giorgi Margvelashvili’s veto.
With 87 votes for and 2 against, the Georgian Parliament today adopted a final draft of a law that will establish a covert surveillance agency under the auspices of the State Security Service.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has responded to the release of alleged files on clerics and politicians leaked from Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS), stating that it is a ‘dirty provocation of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party against state institutions.’He said that the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) is ‘well-aware’ of the UNM goal to ‘undermine state institutions and damage the country’s image.’
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the release of alleged files on clerics and politicians leaked from Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS). The Prosecutor’s Office has urged everyone, including media outlets, which have the files to cooperate with investigators.
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party says that the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party has plans to release secret recordings of the private life of public figures ‘or their fabrication’ from abroad in the coming days to spark tension ahead of the October 2 municipal elections.