SSG launches investigation into alleged fact of state secret information disclosure
By Khatia Bzhalava
Thursday, August 12
The Georgian State Security Service has launched an investigation into facts of public disclosure of information about the official duties of SSG employees and officials. According to the agency, the investigation is underway under the second part of Article 320 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, implying disclosure of state secrets. The investigation is being conducted by the General Inspection of the State Security Service.
“The facts of public dissemination of information on the official duties of the employees and officials of the State Security Service have recently increased, which is a clear violation of the Law on State Secrets,” SSG noted.
The agency informs that intensive investigative measures are being carried out to detect persons involved in possible criminal acts, have a legal response, and prevent subsequent disclosure of information containing state secrets.
According to the Head of the State Security Service, Grigol Liluashvili, the launch of the investigation is connected with the publication of specific documents which contain signs of state secrets.
The statement of the SSG came after Nika Gvaramia, founder and CEO of opposition-minded Mtavari-Arkhi TV channel, accused Georgian Dream of ‘mass illegal surveillance’. On August 1, he released alleged memos of the State Security Service, involving eavesdropping on politicians, representatives of non-governmental organizations, journalists and a foreign embassy employee. In response to the allegations, the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Archil Talakvadze stated that the information spread by Mtavari TV was ‘another fake news’ and ruled out the existence of recordings.
The Head of the SSG did not confirm that the launch of the investigation was related to Gvaramia’s case and stated that the exact information would be released once the investigation is completed.
