Top clerics discuss ‘leaked files’ with patriarch on alleged crimes committed by clerics
The Georgian patriarchate says that ‘leaked files’ released in mid-September on clerics, politicians and diplomats aimed to discredit the church. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Georgian top clerics have discussed the issue of files allegedly leaked from the country’s State Security Service (SSS) last month which pointed at alleged crimes committed by clerics.
The statement made after the discussion late yesterday said that the ‘goal of the leaked files was to engage the church in the election process, to discredit it and spark internal conflicts.’
The patriarchate condemned ‘illegal surveillance’ and stated that it will ‘closely observe the investigation process’ into the leaked files case.
The patriarchate claims that they will use all measures to recheck alleged immoral actions by clerics outlined in the files, including alleged sexual crimes and paedophilia.
It says that the information in the files and statements made by ‘anti-church clerics and thelogists suspiciously coincide,’ concluding that the individuals and critical media outlets may have acted together to discredit the church.
The Georgian patriarchate said that illegal surveillance is unacceptable. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Georgian media outlets received thousands of files titled 'Georgian State Security Sevice’s compromising materials against Patriarchate’ online from an unidentified sender on September 13 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 files also contained information on politicians and diplomats allegedly obtained through illegal surveillance.
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office launched the investigation into the case the day after the disclosure of the files.
The Georgian Dream government officials claim that the files are fabricated and that the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party is standing behind them.
PM Irakli Garibashvili stated that ‘is a conspiracy against the state and the church.’
The opposition, however, has accused the government of illegal surveillance.
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.
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.