"This is typical psychological pressure and intimidation before the elections, which I believe we are quite accustomed to in this country," said Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili in her assessment of the search conducted at the homes of researchers from the American non-governmental organization, the Atlantic Council, just two days before the elections.
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According to Salome Zourabichvili, this is happening "to instill fear, to discourage some people from voting, to make others hesitant to cast their ballots as they wish."
"All of this is just psychological manipulation, which, I believe, does not work, has not worked, and will not work on the Georgian people, who are quite experienced in these matters.
I would also like to add that our transition to a new phase - to a coalition government, to a pro-European government, and to our new political reality - should ensure that election intimidation no longer occurs in the future. This electoral pressure, bringing people to vote by force, with coercion, begging, money, or other means, should be a thing of the past, and I am confident it will be," the president stated at the press conference.
On October 24, the Ministry of Finance’s investigative service conducted several simultaneous searches in Tbilisi and Kutaisi. Investigators entered the homes of Georgian employees of the Atlantic Council, Eto Buziashvili and Sopo Gelava, seizing laptops and phones. Buziashvili and Gelava are involved in researching Russian disinformation. Additionally, Sopo Gelava’s husband, Giorgi Noniashvili, is a member of the political council of the Federalists party.
Buziashvili recounted that investigators entered his apartment by deception at 8 a.m. "They did not disclose that they were from the financial police; they said they were from the gas inspection service and mentioned a supposed leak. About 6 people entered, immediately started the search, seized my phone, and did not allow me to contact my lawyer," Buziashvili said.
“It was explained to me that the [search] is related to the company I am contracted with; however, I actually work for the Atlantic Council. This is an international organization based in the United States, and my work directly involves researching disinformation, information operations, and Russian interference. Therefore, at this moment, I find what is happening very suspicious,” Sopo Gelava told TV company Pirveli.
The investigative service also searched the office of the American company Concentrix, located in Vake. Concentrix, one of the largest American business service companies, entered the Georgian market in 2021 with support from the Make in Georgia agency.
Additionally, the home of businessman Valeri Tkeshelashvil in Kutaisi was searched. Tkeshelashvili explained that district inspectors first arrived at his family’s residence in the morning, followed by financial police officers, who stated that they suspected his involvement with call centers. "I haven’t been in Georgia for the past 10 years; I returned a few months ago and am staying at my parents’ house. I have no connections to call centers. I work mainly in education and information technology, focusing on procurement systems. I’ve never been involved in call centers. They are simply trying to intimidate people. Our family has never supported Kotsebi (GD members),” Tkeshelashvili said.
Later, the Ministry of Finance’s investigative service issued a statement, confirming that, based on received intelligence, investigative actions were carried out in three suspected call centers. The agency stated that it would continue to provide the public with updates on the investigation’s progress.
