The News in Brief

Mdinaradze Reports Thirtyfold Increase in Information Flow to SSSG

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the outgoing chief of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG), revealed in a late-night interview on April 22 that the agency has seen a massive surge in intelligence. Mdinaradze stated that the flow of information has increased "at least thirtyfold" compared to a year ago.

"If about a year ago the flow of information was some figure X, today this figure [.] has increased at least thirtyfold. If, say, 100 pieces of information were coming in for implementation, now more than 3,000 are coming in," Mdinaradze said. When asked if this spike was linked to increased surveillance, he confirmed that "wiretapping has also increased," but maintained that all such activities are "carried out on the basis of a court order."

Mdinaradze clarified that while the number of court warrants for wiretapping has increased by "two- to two-and-a-half times," the overall information flow has grown far more significantly. He attributed this discrepancy to a mix of technical resources and a growing network of human intelligence. "I may not be able to say much, but there are contact persons who provide this information, and there are many legitimate means... which have increased and ensure the inflow of information into the SSSG," he explained.

He predicted that "this dynamic will continue to increase" under the leadership of current Interior Minister Geka Geladze, who is set to replace him as the head of the SSSG.

Mdinaradze also addressed the SSSG's ongoing criminal investigation into Igor Blazevic, a senior adviser at the Prague Civil Society Centre. Pro-government media has previously linked Blazevic to alleged "revolutionary scenarios" and opposition training. Mdinaradze confirmed that the agency possesses "multiple wiretaps regarding Blazevic and involving him," which were obtained through legal court warrants. According to Mdinaradze, these recordings include "incriminating words, phrases and specific individuals."



SSSG Arrests Official Over Embezzlement at Enguri HPP Subsidiary

The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) announced on April 23 the arrest of a department head at Kodori Hydropower Plants LLC, a subsidiary of the Enguri HPP operating within the occupied Abkhazia territory. The official is suspected of misappropriating and embezzling a large sum of state funds.

According to the agency, the individual has fully cooperated with the investigation and admitted to the crime. The suspect now faces a potential prison sentence ranging from seven to eleven years. In a statement addressing the location of the alleged crime, the SSSG warned that using Georgia's occupied territories as a shield for financial crimes would not prevent prosecution, stating that such actions will not go unanswered even if committed in those areas.

The Enguri HPP remains a unique piece of infrastructure situated along the occupation line. While the dam is located on territory controlled by Tbilisi, critical components such as the turbines are positioned on the occupied side, requiring the facility to be jointly operated by Tbilisi and Sokhumi.