Georgian FM on EU Ambassador’s statement over leaked files: Georgia is committed to Venice Convention principles
Head of the ruling party Irakli Kobakhidze said that EU Ambassador Hartzell’s statement was ‘slightly deviated from diplomatic standards, especially in this pre-election period,’ he stated. Photo: Georgian Dream press office.
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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.
EU Ambassador Hartzell stated earlier today that the ‘EU takes seriously’ the possible illegal surveillance on foreign diplomats in Georgia, noting that ‘such issues cause questions and the questions are related to the Venice Convention.’
Thousands of files containing the personal data of clerics, politicians and journalists obtained via alleged illegal surveillance were published on the internet more than a week ago and sent to various media outlets.
The files may also contain documents of alleged illegal surveillance on foreign ambassadors and diplomats.
Georgian Ambassador to the EU Vakhtang Makharoblishvili was summoned to the EU head office in Brussels yesterday regarding the issue.
The Ruling Georgian Dream (GD) MP and Public Relations Secretary Shalva Papuashvili stated that the summoning of the Georgian Ambassador Makharoblishvili was caused by ‘media agitation’ regarding the alleged leaked files from Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS).
Nothing in this is scandalous. I do not know specifically about this meeting. However, in such conditions when unfortunately the media has been agitating for several days of course we give explanations, including to our western partners,” Papuashvili said.
Head of the GD Irakli Kobakhidze said that EU Ambassador Hartzell’s statement was ‘slightly deviated from diplomatic standards, especially in this pre-election period,’ he stated.
It should be clear who obtained what information, what was authentic and how true this information is,” said Kobakhidze.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry also stated that ‘active investigative and procedural actions are underway in the Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office,’ noting that it is early to define the alleged leaked files as ‘infallible facts.’
The non-governmental Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) reported earlier that alleged leaked files from the SSS are highly unlikely to be falsified and indicate systematic illegal surveillance.
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.
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.’
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.
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.