Georgian Dream describe leaked tapes as ‘falsified’, Georgia’s civil society demands further investigation

The ruling Georgian Dream party released an official statement regarding the leaked recordings that allegedly feature Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, as well as Bera Ivanishvili, son of the founder of the ruling party Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The statement describes the tapes, which TV Pirveli aired on March 6, as fabricated and compiled out of various “phrases and words taken out of other recordings.” The statement also notes that the “leaked” tapes seem to have been a product of a long-term strategy, and that those who produced them were just waiting for the right time to release them. Finally, the statement concludes that such action and use of illegal surveillance and fabrication is “typical of the United National Movement’s rule”.

Fifteen non-governmental organizations of Georgia, including Transparency International Georgia, Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), and the Georgian Young Lawyer Association, signed a joint letter calling for the immediate investigation of the released audio tapes that allegedly contain evidence of the violation of Law by government officials. The joint statement notes that the tapes indicate that some individuals, including minors, were subjected to threats and prosecution due to their political beliefs. In the statement, the EMC claimed that although the tapes seem to be illegal, “they may point to the undemocratic practice of governing” of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Many opposition parties have already expressed their concerns over the released tapes and called for the immediate investigation to be launched. They also demand the resignation of the newly appointed PM Garibashvili who is featured in the tapes. However, in response to the outrage of the opposition bloc, MP of the ruling party, Mamuka Mdinaradze said that the calls for the resignation of PM Garibashvili and head of the Head of the Special Service of State Security Anzor Chubinidze is the opposition’s attempt “to disrupt negotiations, revenge, overthrow the current government and seize the power.” Mdinaradze stated that the tapes are ‘fabricated’ and aimed at ‘angering people’. He later told the media that regardless of the negative impact that the released tapes have had, he is confident that talks between the government and the opposition bloc would continue.

The controversial tapes aired by TV Pirveli Channel on March 6 allegedly feature a discussion of the possible punishment to be implicated upon the minors who wrote negative comments on Bera Ivanishvili’s posts on Facebook. The authenticity of the tapes has not yet been confirmed.