Special Investigation Service arrests two for disclosure of confidentiality of personal information

Georgia’s Special Investigation Service on Tuesday said it had arrested two individuals for disclosure of confidentiality of personal information in separate cases, and recovered files containing personal information of a minor.

The Service said it had arrested an individual who had become acquainted with a 13-year-old girl through Facebook in September and had received intimate photos and videos from her after making threats of physical harm while meeting the victim at school.

It said the accused also used the materials to force the victim to take and send further photos and videos, while threatening the minor to perform “various sexual activities” using a toothbrush and sending the footage.

The minor's mother addressed the Service for assistance after learning about the incident, with the body adding its investigative actions had been carried out “in a short period of time” and led to the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and seizure of files containing personal information of the minor during a personal search.

The body said it had also arrested another individual for disclosure of confidentiality of personal information on grounds of gender intolerance in an incident in the southern Akhaltsikhe municipality.

The alleged offender had transferred intimate photos of his ex-wife from her mobile phone before sending them to the victim’s relatives using social media as a revenge, following a disagreement.

The Service added the crimes were punishable by imprisonment for 15 and seven years respectively.

It added it was “actively continuing” to hold informational meetings in schools to raise awareness among minors and the wider public, prevent violations of personal information and “protect their private lives”.