IDFI: leaked files likely point to systematic illegal surveillance
The IDFI states that the files most probably are created by the SSS as they reveal ‘large-scale sectoral (religiously oriented) surveillance, which most likely lasted for years.’ Photo: State Security Service of Georgia.
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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.
The IDFI’s findings after studying the files show the following:
- The leaked files containing sensitive data from people’s personal lives probably were created between 2014-2021
- The leaked files are highly unlikely to be counterfeited
- The leaked files with high probability are processed by the SSS
- A significant part of the files are probably obtained illegally
- The leaked files indicate a probable systematic illegal surveillance
In our opinion, this information is obtained illegally directly from the SSS...Systematic, large-scale and total surveillance was carried out and most likely, these materials are authentic due to its content and volume,” executive director of the IDFI Giorgi Kldiashvili said.
The organisation reports that some of the documents from the leaked files indicate criminal activities:
The leaked files are mainly focused on activities related to religious issues, however, the documents feature various individuals who are neither clergymen nor have any connection with the public life,” the IDFI reports.
It also reads that data of people employed in international organisations and embassies are also found in the files.
The IDFI states that the files most probably are created by the SSS as the files reveal ‘large-scale sectoral (religiously oriented) surveillance, which most likely lasted for years.’
The organisation calls on the Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office to delete the materials or restrict access to them if they are verified.
It also calls on the Georgian parliament to establish the investigation commission and on media outlets to cover the issue ‘in full compliance with the principles of journalistic ethics.’
Deputy Public Defender of Georgia Giorgi Burjanadze stated that the existing legislation in the country makes it easier to carry out illegal surveillance.
A law on covert surveillance was reviewed in parliament four years ago. We have been actively informing MPs about the risks that this law could not provide an opportunity for protecting oneself from illegal covert eavesdropping. We of course appealed against this law to the Constitutional Court and we are waiting for a decision more than three years,” Burjanadze said.
The files have been removed from the internet and are no longer available for the public.
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office launched the investigation into the case day after the disclosure of the files.
The files contained the personal data of top clerics pointing at alleged crimes such as spying for Russia, taking bribes and sexual relations with minors.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.’
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated that the release of alleged leaked files on clerics from Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS) is a conspiracy against the state and the church. Garibashvili said that the country’s opposition ‘launched a dirty campaign’ against the Patriarchate and church a year ago, noting that ‘their main goal is to discredit the church, the army, the police in order to demoralise them.’
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.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has stated that Georgia is committed to the principles of the Venice Convention, in response to EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell’s statement over the alleged illegal surveillance of diplomats. "Georgia is committed to all international obligations, which provide for the full and smooth functioning of the diplomatic corps in the country and adheres to the principles of the Venice Convention,” the ministry’s statement reads.
Foreign diplomats and ambassadors in Georgia have raised ‘grave concerns’ over the alleged leaked files on clerics, politicians, journalists and foreign diplomats after the meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani earlier today. "Reported recent wiretapping by security authorities constitutes a serious breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and compromises normal diplomatic work in Georgia,” the statement of the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia reads.