Gov’t rejects opposition leader Melia’s “disinformation” over claim of leak of Georgian combatant’s personal data from Defence Ministry

The Strategic Communications Service of the Government of Georgia on Tuesday dismissed allegations by the Chair of the United National Movement opposition party Nika Melia about a leak of personal information of a Georgian combatant from the archives of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.

In its response to Melia’s social media post that made the allegation earlier today, the Service said the post was “another disinformation by a bankrupt political force” and added the claim aimed to “spark tension in the public and discredit the Government”.

In his brief post, Melia made the allegation that information on an unnamed combatant had been “found in the hands of the occupier” after its supposed leak from the archives of the Ministry. 

The politician did not provide any details in the comments, in which he accused the Government of “collaborationism” with Russia.

Melia was elected as the Chair of UNM - a party founded by the currently imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili - in December 2020. 

Officials from the ruling Georgian Dream party have repeatedly accused the UNM of attempts to see Georgia becoming involved in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine since the outbreak of the hostilities in late February.