Georgian ambassador to EU summoned over ‘leaked files’

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. 

• Leaked files: investigation underway, journalists being questioned

The alleged personal data files on politicians and clerics the Georgian media outlets received earlier this month may also contain materials on foreign diplomats in Georgia, allegedly obtained through illegal surveillance. 

Hartzell says that ‘such issues are taken seriously by the EU, because they cause questions and the questions are related to the Venice Convention (which regulates diplomatic issues).’ 

He stated that Makharoblishvili was at the EU headquarters in Brussels yesterday ‘to make issues clear and to discuss following steps.’ 

Hartzell also stated that the State Security Service must work on the topics related to security, while personal life of individuals should remain intact. 

Makharoblishvili was at the EU head office yesterday over 'leaked files' case. Photo: publika.

Illegal surveillance and eavesdropping is not democracy,” Hartzell said. 

The Georgian opposition parties say that the summoning of the Georgian ambassador to the EU ‘for making explanations’ is a ‘diplomatic scandal.’ 

Opposition MP, Georgia’s former ambassador to the EU under the United National Movement (UNM) government Salome Samadashvili, says that “Makharoblishvili is the first ambassador to the EU who was summoned for making explanations.’ 

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party says that there is ‘nothing alarming or unusual’ in Makharoblishvili’s case. 

The party said that the Georgian opposition and the opposition-affiliated TV channels are using the case of the ‘leaked files’ to spark turmoil. 

Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili has accused the UNM, 'which was engaged with mass illegal surveillance before 2012,' of releasing the data. Photo: Defence ministry press office. 

The GD states that the Georgian government is informing both the Georgian people and the country’s international partners over the issue. 

Georgian media outlets received a link to about 30,000 files on September 13 which allegedly contained leaked data from SSS under the Georgian Dream government. 

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

• IDFI: leaked files likely point to systematic illegal surveillance

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.’ 

• Opposition leader Khazaradze on leaked files: my communication with various clerics are recorded
• Leaked files: opposition demands creation of parliamentary investigation commission

The opposition says that the GD is engaged in illegal surveillance to blackmail individuals.