Hearing of annual report from Head of State Security Service ends in conflict

Hearing of the 2016 annual report from Vakhtang Gomelauri, Head of State Security Service in the parliament ended in conflict among MPs today. The Q&A part of the hearing was held in closed format upon the request of the majority. The decision explained by the ruling team with interests of the state caused protest in the opposition. 

Confrontation took place between MPs Emzar Kvitsiani and Giga Bokeria. Kvitsiani said it did not matter whether the hearing was open or not, as a resident of the foreign country, referring to Giga Bokeria, was in the hall. This was followed by the laughter from oppositional MPs and an offensive remark from Giga Bokeria, which angered Kvitsiani. He threw a glass full of water to Bokeria and tried to approach him, but he was stopped by security officers. Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of Parliament was forced to announce a break to defuse the tension.

Otar Kakhidze, MP of European Georgia was also injured during the incident that took place between MPs. He was accidentally hit in his head with an ashtray thrown by his co-mate. Kakhidze was taken out of the building by MP Giorgi Tugushi to be provided with medical assistance for his bleeding head. 

The 27-page annual report had to do with terrorism threat, intelligence activities and fight against corruption.  According to Gomelauri, Anti-corruption Agency launched investigation into 47 alleged cases of corruption from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016. Resolution of the problem regarding Georgia’s occupied territories was named as the main challenge facing the country.