Tbilisi calls on Ukraine to “immediately provide” evidence for their allegations on Georgia’s aid to Russian smuggling

The Georgian State Security Service (GSSS) has called on Ukraine to immediately provide evidence for  the allegations voiced by the Main Intelligence Division of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry  that Tbilisi was ready to allow Russians to use the Georgian territory for smuggling to bypass sanctions.

GSSS says that the “evidence” is mandatory to give it a legal response, stressing that the allegations are “serious.”

“This action (aiding Russian smugglers) is a very  serious criminal offense under Georgian law. The Georgian government will be uncompromising in any possible case of such a crime,” said the GSSS.

The agency said that they met with a representative of the Embassy of Ukraine in Georgia yesterday to exchange information.

GSSS stated that at the meeting they inquired about the grounds for disseminating this information and requested to share detailed information on the issue, reminding Kyiv that the exchange of such information is stipulated in a number of interstate agreements.

“Otherwise, the statement will be considered premeditated misinformation, an extremely unfriendly and provocative step aimed at provoking internal unrest in Georgia, which willfully or unwillingly serves only the interests of the forces hostile to Georgia,” said the state agency.

The ruling party and government officials dismissed the allegations yesterday, stating they were “insulting.”

“Simply put, this is a lie! This type of disinformation from a partner country, especially in these circumstances, is totally unacceptable,” Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said.

Several ruling party MPs claimed that the former United National Movement officials, who currently take high posts in Ukraine, could stand behind the “disinformation.”