Ruling party MP rules out allegations of arrested former security official being put under pressure by Interior Minister

Anri Okhanashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday ruled out the country’s Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri exerting pressure on the imprisoned former Deputy Head of the Georgian State Security Service, Soso Gogashvili, following allegations by the former official’s lawyers and family. 

• Former Deputy Head of State Security Service charged with misuse of authority, possession of state secrets, personal data

In his remarks, Okhanashvili, who chairs the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, said that “tactics of defence frequently include the shifting of the public attention onto baseless and groundless questions”.

If someone believes that certain violations took place, then they should address relevant institutions to look into the case. I, personally, rule out Gomelauri exerting any pressure [on Gogashvili]”, Okhanashvili said. 

Speaking to media on Thursday, Gogashvili’s lawyers and family members accused Gomelauri - the former chief of the State Security Service and current Interior Minister - of “threatening” his former deputy to “provide a desired testimony”, amid Gogashvili’s claims to have evidence of election fraud and other alleged violations by the Georgian Dream Government. 

Soso Gogashvili served as a Deputy Head of the Georgian State Security Service between 2015 and 2018. Photo: 1TV. 

In his social media post on Thursday, Gogashvili said he had also received threats from the former Prime Minister and the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, and called on local human rights organisations and the Public Defender to ensure the safety of his family.

• Gogashvili, who was denied bail last month, was charged with exceeding authority, illegally obtaining personal data of two individuals and illegal possession of firearms on July 18, after being arrested at his home two days earlier.
• The Prosecutor's Office said an investigation carried out by the Service showed Gogashvili had held access to  information containing “state secrets”, as well as personal data of “certain individuals”, between 2015-2018.
• The statement noted Gogashvili had taken the data out of his office for “personal purposes” and kept it at home, through a misuse of his authority. Some of the personal data was later “disseminated with the participation of Gogashvili”, the body added, violating the constitutional rights of individuals and “causing significant damage”.
• The Service said the case also involved a threat of disclosure of state secrets.