Who are security officers?
By Tatia Megeneishvili
Thursday, October 9
The Transparency International Georgia (TI) released a statement concerning the so-called Security Officers on October 7.
According to the statement, the Security Officers work in various state structures on high positions and gather information about the body’s staff.
Transparency International stresses that the existence of the security guards in the modern world is unacceptable.
Senior Analyst at Transparency International Mamuka Andghuladze calls on the government to suspend the fallacious practice.
“International norms show that most democratic countries have already rejected such approaches. We know that the Interior Ministry is authorized to appoint people at influential institutions, but it is time to stop this ill practice,”stated Andghuladze.
The NGO named several security officers, among them: Zaza Mazmiashvili, and Zaza Maluadze, Vladimer Bunturidze. Based on the organization the individuals worked in various state institutions and had parallel links with the Ministry of Interior Affairs.
Transparency International Georgia plans to continue research in this field and inform the public of the Interior Ministry's representatives in various public institutions.
Georgian officials confirmed that the institution of the security guards is still in force. According to the officials, those people work there where their motherland needs them.
Member of the parliament majority Irakli Sesiashvili said that security guards have no connection with the Soviet Union analog.
“Currently they only meet with the state interests,” Sesiashvili said.
Former head of the Analytical Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Shota Utiashvili said that the profession of the Security Officers is almost ancient.
“At first when the institution was created it was supposed to create a net and detect enemies of the country, but it has lost its function for a long time already and now it is just a lever for appointing desirable people who are at the age of pension,” said Utiashvili.
Member of the parliament minority Irma Nadirashvili said that even thou the institute existed under the former leadership, they did not enjoy with much power.
“Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili granted them too much power and is using them for his interests. Those people have a syndrome of impunity,” said Nadirashvili.
