‘Leaked files’ containing personal data on clerics no longer found on internet

The files which have been allegedly leaked from Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS) containing personal data on Georgia’s top clerics are no longer searchable. 

 

Georgian media outlets received the link of thousands of files yesterday from an unidentified sender named Hakim Pasha. 

 

The files were titled ‘compromising materials of SSS against patriarchate.’ 

 

The text attached to the mail read that the ‘author’ had worked for SSS for several years and that the agency ‘is listening to everyone.’ 

 

The files contained personal data of high-ranking clerics and pointed at alleged crimes like spying for Russia, bribery, sexual crimes and others. 

 

The State Security Service has not responded to the issue so far. 

 

The Georgian Ruling Party held a media briefing yesterday in which they shifted blame onto the United National Movement opposition (UNM) party. 

 

The ruling party MP Mamuka Mdinaradze has stated that ‘we have seen another unsuccessful attempt of attacking the state and the church.’ 

 

He said that the UNM and its affiliated TV channels have tried to make a gap between the government and the patriarchate. 

 

The opposition parties and Public Defender Nino Lomjaria believe that SSS continues illegal surveillance and uses the files to blackmail individuals. 

 

The files ‘leaked’ yesterday have been allegedly collected since 2014, under the Georgian Dream leadership.