Georgia Investigates Alleged Government Overthrow Plot
Georgia’s state intelligence agency has disclosed tge begin of its investigation into the plot to “violently overthrow” the government.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday, The State Security Service of Georgia said in a statement posted on Facebook that it is “investigating criminal activities” aimed at creating unrest, including a plot to kill Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the governing Georgian Dream party.
The statement accused “former high officials” of setting the plot, with local media reports suggesting links to Ukraine. The announcement came amid heightened tension in Georgia over the introduction of a “foreign influence” law that opponents say illustrates the government is moving closer to Russia.
“The aim of the criminal activities is to violently overthrow the state government by destructive forces in the midst of creating unrest in the country and weakening the government” the statement read.
Active investigations and operative-search measures are in progress, with specific individuals being sent to the investigative body for questioning," the security service announced. The suspects were not identified, but Georgian media reported that at least six people, most of whom have fought against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have been called for questioning.
Georgian authorities have frequently accused Ukraine-based Georgians who are fighting against Russia of planning a coup. Although Tbilisi opposes Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, it has refrained from imposing sanctions on Russia.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, the wealthiest man in Georgia and founder of Georgian Dream, maintains significant influence over the party and denies claims that he is steering Georgia back towards Moscow. Despite the Russian invasion in 2008, Ivanishvili asserts that the government still aims for European Union membership. However, Brussels has repeatedly warned that the foreign agent law threatens this goal.
In May, the ruling coalition, formally led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, overrode a veto by President Salome Zourabichvili on the controversial bill, despite massive protests that were violently suppressed by the authorities.
The new law requires media, nongovernmental organisations and other nonprofit groups to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.
