Georgia probes alleged plot to overthrow government
Al Jazeera
State intelligence agency claims ‘former officials’ also planned to assassinate governing party head Ivanishvili.
Georgia’s state intelligence agency has announced the opening of an investigation into a plot to “violently overthrow” the government.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday, the State Security Service of Georgia said 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 being behind 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 underway in which specific persons are sent to the investigative body for questioning,” it added.
