Georgian PM: Nobody is eavesdropping on government representatives, it is a lie

Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday told reporters “nobody” has been eavesdropping on government representatives and called the accusation that the state security service has been wiretapping the ruling Georgian Dream party’s members a “lie”.

Privacy is a very vulnerable issue, any country can apply wiretapping. It's very simple, [...] there are so many conspiratorial organisations, there are hacking organisations that have the ability to hack your cell phone, listen to you, steal your entire database”, Garibashvili said.

Garibashvili said he would not “start speculations” on the conversations “edited by someone” and noted if there was any evidence the investigation would answer it.

The whole of Georgia listens to the ruling Georgian Dream party. The state security service also listens to us, because we are the ruling party”, the head of the government added.

Speaking to the media, Garibashvili once again commented on the MPs of the Georgian Dream party joining the Popular Force, a public movement created by the former members of the ruling party who had exited the team in June, and said that there was a democracy in Georgia and “any individual” could join “any” organisation or union, as it has been their constitutional right.

• Five more ruling party MPs join Popular Force movement

We have our firm position, a steadfast choice - this is our Euro-Atlantic integration, which is reflected in the constitution, and no one can change this choice”, Garibashvili added.