Georgian FM on EU Ambassador’s statement over leaked files: Georgia is committed to Venice Convention principles

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.’ 

• Georgian ambassador to EU summoned over ‘leaked files’

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. 

• PM Garibashvili on leaked files: this is conspiracy against state, church

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. 

• Leaked files: investigation underway, journalists being questioned

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.’ 

• IDFI: leaked files likely point to systematic illegal surveillance

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.