NEWS

Leaked files: opposition demands creation of parliamentary investigation commission

Opposition says that foreign experts and Georgian public defender should also participate in the parliamentary investigation commission. Photo: parliament of Georgia press office.

Agenda.ge, 15 Sep 2021 - 17:32, Tbilisi,Georgia

Lelo - Partnership for Georgia opposition parliamentary faction and ex-PM Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia party have demanded the creation of a parliamentary investigation commission on the personal data files allegedly ‘leaked’ from the country’s State Security Service (SSS).

For Georgia says that ombudsperson and foreign experts should be invited in the commission.

Opposition MP Salome Samadashvili stated earlier today that Lelo - Partnership for Georgia will also gather signatures of opposition MPs to call a special parliamentary session on the issue.

Georgian media outlets received a link to about 30,000 files on Monday which allegedly contained leaked data from SSS on clerics and politicians.

The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the issue.

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party and PM Irakli Garibashvili have stated that the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party is behind the ‘dirty, anti-state provocation which aims to spark tension in the country ahead of the October 2 municipal elections.’

Khojevanishvili served as deputy head of SSS between January 2019 and March 2021.

Garibashvili also said earlier today that ‘it is not excluded’ former PM Giorgi Gakharia and former deputy head of SSS Aleksandre Khojevanishvili to be connected with the case.

Aleksandre Khojevanishvili is a brother of Gakharia’s party member Giorgi Khojevanishvili.

Garibashvili says that both Gakharia and Khojevanishvili had access to classified data.

Investigation will find out whether it was a fabrication (the files) or it is a more serious crime,” Garibashvili said, noting ‘all individuals involved in treason will be held accountable.’

For Georgia party members say that Aleksandre Khojevanishvili may be arrested, stating that the party is being attacked both by the ruling party and other opposition parties ‘for its growing rating’.

Ruling party: UNM plans to release more personal footage of public figures

14 Sep 2021

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.

Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s office launches investigation into alleged ‘leaked SSS files’

14 Sep 2021

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.

PM Garibashvili says ‘leaked files’ are UNM ‘dirty, anti-state provocation’

14 Sep 2021

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.’

Georgian media outlets receive ‘leaked files’ with alleged compromising materials on clerics

13 Sep 2021

Georgian media outlets have received files allegedly leaked from the country’s State Security Service (SSS), which contain personal data on clerics. The media outlets received a link to the files earlier today from ‘Hakim Pasha,’ titled 'Georgian State Security Sevice’s compromising materials against Patriarchate.’

Leaked files: investigation underway, journalists being questioned

16 Sep 2021

Police are looking into the authenticity of allegedly leaked files on clerics and politicians from the State Security Service (SSS) which surfaced on September 13. Georgian media outlets received thousands of files titled 'Georgian State Security Sevice’s compromising materials against Patriarchate’ online from an unidentified sender which contain data of possible illegal surveillance by the state body.

Girchi - More Freedom members released after car smashing protest

17 Sep 2021

Two members of the opposition Girchi - More Freedom party, Nika Mosiashvili and Boris Kurua, have been released earlier today after they smashed the party’s Skoda Octavia car with batons and hammers in front of the State Security Service (SSS) office in protest yesterday. The party head said they were protesting the ‘recent leak’ of personal data files and ‘mass illegal surveillance in the country by the state agency.’

Patriarchate on leaked files: we are waiting for explanations from gov’t

17 Sep 2021

The Georgian Patriarchate says it is waiting for the Georgian government to explain alleged leaked files on clerics from the State Security Service (SSS) which surfaced on September 13. Secretary of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II and Archpriest Mikael Botkoveli stated that the Patriarchate of Georgia will make an official statement regarding the issue in about two days, noting that a meeting of a Holy Synod has not been scheduled yet.

IDFI: leaked files likely point to systematic illegal surveillance

17 Sep 2021

Allegedly leaked files on clerics and politicians from the State Security Service (SSS) are highly unlikely to be falsified and indicate systematic illegal surveillance, the country’s well-respected, non-governmental Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) reports. Thousands of files containing the personal data of clerics and politicians obtained via alleged illegal surveillance were published on the internet several days ago and sent to various media outlets.

Opposition leader Khazaradze on leaked files: my communication with various clerics are recorded

20 Sep 2021

Leader of the opposition Lelo for Georgia party Mamuka Khazaradze has stated that the leaked files on clerics from the State Security Service (SSS) which surfaced on September 13 contain documents of his communication with seven bishops, monastery leaders and abbots. Khazaradze was questioned by the Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office earlier today after which he stated that the law enforcers showed him the materials for the last three years revealing the illegal surveillance, noting that a total of 40 episodes were introduced to him.

Georgian ambassador to EU summoned over ‘leaked files’

22 Sep 2021

Georgian Ambassador to the EU Vakhtang Makharoblishvili has been summoned to the EU head office in Brussels over the issue of recently ‘leaked files’ allegedly from Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS), EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell stated earlier today.

PM Garibashvili on 'leaked files': investigation moving forward

03 Oct 2021

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili says the investigation into the files allegedly leaked from the State Security Service (SSS) is moving forward really fast. Calling the files fabricated, Garibashvili claims they were targeted against the state, the SSS itself, and the church. "We are very well aware whom this dirty signature is connected with. This is [Mikheil] Saakashvili and his new allies. The investigation will tell the rest”, he told Imedi TV.