Gakharia on leaked records: I didn't have information about it
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Friday, September 17
A few days back, it was announced by several Georgian media outlets that they had received files that were allegedly leaked from the State Security Services, SSS, of Georgia. As it was noted, the files contained personal information about many people in the country, especially priests.
Titled “Georgian State Security Service's compromising materials against Patriarchate”, the files were received by media outlets from “Hakim Pasha”. The unidentified sender wrote in the mail that he worked in the agency for several years, which he called the “biggest threat to the country”, saying that they listen to everyone.
Allegedly, the data contains information since 2014. According to the information of Georgian media representatives, the files include information about alleged crimes like sexual relations with minors, taking bribes for mediation to pardon inmates, spying for Russia, as well as many other crimes.
While no official statement was made by the Patriarchate of the country, the ruling party blamed the United National Movement for the files. Gia Volski, MP of GD said that it is UNM that has always been deeply engaged with illegal surveillance and collecting personal data. On the other hand, some of the journalists in the country said that the conversations that were included in the files about them were accurate.
Recently, former Prime Minister of the country, Giorgi Gakharia was asked about the files by Formula TV, to which he answered that he did not have any information about the recordings.
“I, as the Prime Minister, received some briefings from the Security Service regarding the internal and external security of the country. But I did not have information of this scale [of files], of course,” said the former PM.
He also added that the first thing that needs to be done is to confirm the authenticity of the leaked files. In addition, he believes that it should also be investigated how the files leaked.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the Georgian Dream, said that it was a shame for Gakharia to say that he did not know what the State Security Service was doing, because, as he said, the deputy head of SSS was Gakharia’s appointee.
The day after the recordings were released, the State Security Service issued a statement stating that reproducing such information would violate the honor and dignity of individuals, security officers, and the agency as a whole. The agency called on the media and political stakeholders to refrain from disseminating inaccurate and unverified information until the investigation is completed.
Numerous NGOs in the country call on a swift and accurate investigation of the ongoing events in the country. Some of the NGOs also offered legal assistance to individuals who found information about themselves in the files.
