Former Intelligence Chief Questioned Over Police Checkpoint Near Occupation Line
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, July 25, 2025
The Prosecutor's Office has questioned former head of the Georgian Intelligence Service, Davit Sujashvili, in connection with the construction of a police checkpoint near the occupation line in the village of Chorchana. The checkpoint was established during the tenure of Giorgi Gakharia as Minister of Internal Affairs.
Sujashvili spoke to journalists after his questioning on July 24, saying he had no prior knowledge of the checkpoint.
"I did not have this information," he said, echoing responses given by several other former high-ranking officials in the same investigation.
Sujashvili explained that the Intelligence Service operates strictly within its mandate.
"The Intelligence Service, like any other specific service, works within its own framework. The Intelligence Service obtains intelligence information beyond the country's borders," he said.
He added that although the agency is involved in Georgia's policy of non-recognition toward Russian-occupied territories, he does not see a problem in not being informed about the checkpoint.
"In this case, if I did not know this information, I do not see a problem with it," he said. "Unfortunately, I learned this information from open sources. It would have been good if I had known this information before."
Asked why he was questioned if his knowledge of the event was not essential, Sujashvili pointed to his role in national security coordination.
"A reform was carried out, a National Security Council was created," he said. "The Law on the Rules of Planning and Coordination of the National Security Policy of Georgia regulates the activities of this council. The head of the intelligence service is a permanent member of this council. That's why they called me."
