Georgia investigating alleged plot to overthrow government through ‘violent means’

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Georgia on Wednesday announced that it is investigating an alleged plot to overthrow the country’s government through “violent means,” including a plot to assassinate former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili.

A statement by the Georgian State Security Service on Facebook claimed that the assassination plot against Ivanishvili was being “organized and financed” by former “high-ranking officials” of the Georgian government, as well as former “employees of law enforcement agencies” in Ukraine.

“The purpose of the mentioned criminal actions is to overthrow the state government by violent means carried out by destructive forces, in the background of creating disorder and weakening the government,” the statement said.

It went on to say that active measures are being carried out as part of the probe launched into the plot, adding that specific persons are being summoned for questioning as witnesses.

Ivanishvili is the founder of his country’s ruling Georgian Dream party, and currently serves as its honorary chairman since December last year.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the Georgian State Security Service’s claims.