A scandalous video revealing details of a special operation by the former government has been leaked on the internet.
In the video, Georgia’s former Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili, who is currently being held in pre-trial detention for an issue relating to when he was the Interior Minister, addresses the people in military uniform and says that he needs two dead bodies.
"I need two men, two dead bodies, bring the two dead bodies to me, that’s it! The bonus will be high,” Merabishvili tells the men in uniform, before telling them to "act immediately”.
The video, revealing plans of a special operation by former government members in military uniforms, has spread across social media since it was released late last night, January 29.
At 7am this morning, more than 34,120 people had watched the youtube video named "Vano Merabishvili the killer".
Multiple former high officials can be seen in the video. Former Minister of Justice Zurab Adeishvili, ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili and the suspended Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava are pictured in the video.
It showed former head of the Constitutional Security Department Data Akhalaia and former head of the Criminal Police Erekle Kodua participating in the operation.
In the video, Merabishvili addresses Kodua and Akhalaia to talk and issue further instructions.
The five-minute video was uploaded to youtube by an unknown user under the name ‘appolon osman’. The user's account was created minutes before the video uploaded, about midnight last night.
It is believed the video was taken while the former government was trying to neutralize the mutiny by a Georgian Army tank Battalion based in Mukhrovani on May 5, 2009 also known as Mukhrovani Case. As a result, one of the rebels, Gia Krialashvili, was killed during the operation and another, Koba Otanadze, was wounded.
Mutiny broke out after the tank Battalion began to disobey orders after the government announcement it had uncovered a‘Russian-backed plot; to destabilize Georgia and assassinate President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Later, Georgian authorities retracted their accusations of an assassination plot and allegations of Russian support.
The Prosecutor's Office said it was aware of the scandalous video and would investigate the incident.
Meanwhile, one of Vano Merabishvili’s lawyers, Otar Kakhidze said he had seen the video but had no information about what was being discussed.
He said Merabishvili’s case will be heard in Kutaisi City Court today (30 January). Merabishvili will attend the session and will have a chance to speak to his lawyers about the video.
Kakhidze said he would make further comments after speaking with Merabishvili.