The News in Brief
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
US Embassy in Tbilisi Denies Involvement in Lobbying for Mikheil Saakashvili and Refutes False Allegations
The US Embassy in Tbilisi explicitly stated in their release that they did not engage in any form of lobbying for former president Mikheil Saakashvili, nor did they assist his lobbyists in arranging any meetings.
In their official statement, the US Embassy firmly refuted the damaging claims or insinuations suggesting that their employees received money from lobbying firms, categorically declaring such allegations as false and irresponsible.
"The United States, in Tbilisi and in Washington, has raised our concerns with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the disinformation carried by some media outlets and amplified by political figures in recent days regarding the work of the U.S. Embassy and our employees.
As we have made clear, no one at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi has engaged in lobbying on behalf of former President Saakashvili or helped to schedule any meetings for his lobbyists. Malicious stories alleging or implying that Embassy employees received money from lobbying firms are categorically false and irresponsible," The US Embassy in Tbilisi wrote.
Counter-Terrorism Operation Leads to Arrest of Two Georgian Citizens Linked to 'Islamic State'
The counter-terrorist center of the State Security Service of Georgia, within the framework of the ongoing investigation into the terrorist crime, arrested two citizens of Georgia.
"As a result of investigative actions, flags with the symbols of the terrorist organization 'Islamic State' and various types of electronic information-carrying devices were seized. In addition, ammunition, explosive devices, and explosive substances were seized from the residences of the detainees.
The counter-terrorist center of the State Security Service conducts the investigation under Articles 327 and 236 of the Criminal Code. Active operational-investigative activities are continuing both to reveal the nature of the participation of the detained persons in the activities of the terrorist organization 'Islamic State' and to identify other persons involved in the crime," the information released by the State Security Service reads.
US Embassy in Tbilisi Denies Involvement in Lobbying for Mikheil Saakashvili and Refutes False Allegations
In their official statement, the US Embassy firmly refuted the damaging claims or insinuations suggesting that their employees received money from lobbying firms, categorically declaring such allegations as false and irresponsible.
"The United States, in Tbilisi and in Washington, has raised our concerns with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the disinformation carried by some media outlets and amplified by political figures in recent days regarding the work of the U.S. Embassy and our employees.
As we have made clear, no one at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi has engaged in lobbying on behalf of former President Saakashvili or helped to schedule any meetings for his lobbyists. Malicious stories alleging or implying that Embassy employees received money from lobbying firms are categorically false and irresponsible," The US Embassy in Tbilisi wrote.
Counter-Terrorism Operation Leads to Arrest of Two Georgian Citizens Linked to 'Islamic State'
"As a result of investigative actions, flags with the symbols of the terrorist organization 'Islamic State' and various types of electronic information-carrying devices were seized. In addition, ammunition, explosive devices, and explosive substances were seized from the residences of the detainees.
The counter-terrorist center of the State Security Service conducts the investigation under Articles 327 and 236 of the Criminal Code. Active operational-investigative activities are continuing both to reveal the nature of the participation of the detained persons in the activities of the terrorist organization 'Islamic State' and to identify other persons involved in the crime," the information released by the State Security Service reads.