PM Garibashvili on leaked files: this is conspiracy against state, church
Garibashvili pledged that all involved individuals in the process of illegal surveillance will be punished. Photo: Video Grab.
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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.’
Protection of Georgian Patriarch
PM Garibashvili said that the Georgian Patriarch Ilia II must be protected and ‘his entourage should be under complete control.’
The vast majority of our population declares full confidence in him (Patriarch). This has been the case for decades and will continue to be so. Of course, the word of the patriarch always carries great weight at a crucial time,” Garibashvili said.
The connection between opposition parties
Garibashvili pointed at the connection between various opposition leaders regarding the issue of leaked files and stated that ‘their unanimous statement against the state is very doubtful.’
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party accused the largest opposition United National Movement (UNM) party of ‘standing behind the leaked files’ while pointed at former PM Giorgi Gakharia’s possible involvement in the illegal surveillance as he served as Interior Minister from 2017 to 2019.
Gakharia created all the crises in the Georgian Dream and the GD paid a very high price,” said Garibashvili.
Former Georgian President Saakashvili’s possible involvement in the issue
PM Garibashvili also said that former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili who currently chairs the Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council ‘accidentally mentioned compromising materials on clerics in August.’
Saakashvili vowed earlier in September that he will return to Georgia for the upcoming October 2 municipal elections after nine years of being abroad.
Garibashvili said that he does not believe Saakashvili will come back to Georgia and noted that ‘Saakashvili is accused and convicted as of today.’
He will immediately go to jail, whether he arrives or not and of course no one in this country can oppose this process,” Garibashvili said.
Garibashvili pledged that all involved individuals in the process of illegal surveillance will be punished.
Georgian media outlets received thousands of files titled 'Georgian State Security Sevice’s compromising materials against Patriarchate’ online from an unidentified sender which 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 Chief Prosecutor’s Office launched the investigation into the case day after the disclosure of the files.
The files have been removed from the internet and are no longer available for the public.
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 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.
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party says that the United National Movement (UNM) opposition ‘is very much concerned by the extremely calm pre-election environment’ in Georgia and has plans to stage ‘serious provocations’ ahead of the October 2 municipal elections.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has called the recent leakage of files against clerics and politicians 'a direct conspiracy' aimed to cause misunderstanding between the church and the state. "There is a very strong and solid unity between the government and the church and this will be always be so”, PM Garibashvili said earlier today.
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.
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 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.
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.
Georgian top clerics have discussed the issue of files allegedly leaked from the country’s State Security Service (SSS) last month which pointed at alleged crimes committed by clerics.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has condemned the opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi TV company head Nika Gvaramia for ‘attacking’ the church in his news programme.