Prosecutor's Office: Recording equipment may be under control of former Gov't officials

The investigation into alleged ‘bugging’ of Rustavi 2 television company reveals Constitutional Security Department officials employed by the ex-Government unlawfully purchased illegal recording devices and may still have the equipment in their possession.

This was revealed by the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia today, as a spokesperson outlined where the investigation was officially at.

The spokesperson said because of the high level of public interest in the case, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office was now officially leading the investigation into the alleged ‘bugging’ of Rustavi 2. The Investigative Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were previously leading the investigation.

Today the Office said using or distributing recordings of personal conversations obtained illegally through technical means, including mass media, was an offence under the Criminal Code of Georgia.

This comment was in response to a statement made yesterday, May 9, by Rustavi 2 director general Nika Gvaramia, saying he would publish recordings of personal conversations of government high officials.

In its statement the Office said the ongoing investigation, and testimony from former Interior Ministry employees, revealed sometime between 2010 and 2011, officers of the Constitutional Security Department unofficially and by covert spending illegally purchased special portable surveillance appliances. The Office claimed these devices were used to record private conversations so they could be later used to blackmail or used to discredit evidence.

"The investigation also revealed that the major part of the secret equipment has been lost,” the Office said.

"There is a high possibility that people under the influence of the former government are using the equipment. We are working to find the equipment and people involved in this criminal offence and they will be punished to the full extent of the law,” the Prosecutor’s Office stated.

The investigation into the claims Rustavi 2 was bugged is being investigated under Article 158 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which has particular reference to the issue that the recordings violated the secrecy of private conversations and communication.