Georgian ambassador to EU summoned over ‘leaked files’
EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell says that the EU takes illegal surveillance issues ‘very seriously’ if they are confirmed to happen in a partner state. Photo: Carl Hartzell’s Twitter page.
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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 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.
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.
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 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.’
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 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.