PM Garibashvili on 'leaked files': investigation moving forward

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili gave a televised interview to Imedi TV earlier today. Photo: Shot from Imedi TV video

Agenda.ge, 03 Oct 2021 - 21:32, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili says the investigation into the files allegedly leaked from the State Security Service (SSS) is moving forward really fast. 

Calling the files fabricated, Garibashvili claims they were targeted against the state, the SSS itself, and the church. 

The overwhelming slander of the election campaign has been mixed with anti-state actions and provocations, the conspiracy”, PM Garibashvili said.

Stating that the society will find out the truth pretty soon after the investigation ends, Garibashvili claims everyone responsible will be brought to justice. 

We are very well aware whom this dirty signature is connected with. This is [Mikheil] Saakashvili and his new allies. The investigation will tell the rest”, he told Imedi TV. 

On the question whether Saakashvili’s new ally is former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, Garibashvili preferred not to speak ahead. 

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.

About the municipal run-offs

During the televised interview he spoke of the municipal run-offs as well, saying that the ruling Georgian Dream party candidates will win in all of the 20 municipalities and the opposition United National Movement will face a ‘devastating loss’. 

We have no other expectation. We will bring our work till the end to strengthen the choice of the voters”, he stated.

Earlier today PM Garibahsvili said that the ruling party has won the local municipal elections ‘convincingly’ nationwide and that despite the need for the second rounds in Georgia’s 20 municipalities he is ‘satisfied with the election results.’