US Senator Jeanne Shaheen responded to the search of homes of the Georgian employees of the US research organization “Atlantic Council,” saying it raised concerns about “Georgia’s ability to hold free and fair elections.”
She told The Hill, “The Georgian people and civil society have the right to have their voices heard and respected – this is the main principle of any healthy democratic system.
“I hope that the government of Georgia will study these specific reports and take them seriously”, he said.
Yesterday, October 24, in the morning, the investigative service of the Ministry of Finance entered the homes of two Georgian employees of the American “Atlantic Council”, Sopho Gelava and Eto Buziashvili. According to Sopho Gelava, law enforcement officers told her that several investigations are underway, including money laundering related to the contractor HR company of the “Atlantic Council”.
The Atlantic Council says it is deeply concerned about the incident and hopes that the authorities will shed light on the matter and ensure the safety of their employees.
On the morning of October 24, the investigative service of the Ministry of Finance entered the homes of two Georgian employees of the American research organization Atlantic Council, Sofo Gelava and Eto Buziashvili. Sofo Gelava said that law enforcement officers told her that several investigations are underway, including money laundering related to the contractor HR company of the Atlantic Council.
The Atlantic Council is a well-known American research center (Think Tank), which was founded in 1961. Both Sofo Gelava and Eto Buziashvili work in the direction of exposing Russian propaganda and disinformation.
Related story: Atlantic Council: We believe Georgian authorities will shed more light on search conducted in Tbilisi
