TBILISI: Georgia alleged yesterday that opposition leaders had links with organized crime bosses after authorities released covert surveillance tapes and police evidence ahead of crucial elections.
Those accused include activist Kakha Kaladze and the ex-Soviet state’s former conflict resolution minister Giorgi Khaindrava.
No formal charges have been made and the men have denied any wrongdoing, while the opposition claims the government has launched a negative PR campaign after being damaged by a jail torture scandal this month.
The claims have been widely broadcast on Georgian media amid tensions ahead of Parliamentary polls on Monday that will see President Mikheil Saakashvili’s ruling party face a strong challenge from an opposition coalition led by billionaire tycoon Bidzina Ivanishvili.
On Tuesday, prosecutors in Tbilisi released evidence supplied by French police that Khaindrava had been plotting a post-election coup with fugitive Georgian crime bosses in France.
“According to the materials provided by French National Gendarmerie, a deal has been reached between a representative of the Georgian opposition and gang bosses that are at the head of an international criminal network, aimed at provoking violent acts and destabilization in Georgia,” a statement said.
The French document published by the Georgian justice ministry said that some opposition members were seeking crime bosses’ backing to win support from diaspora voters or “supply arms and men for a possible coup in Georgia if the option of an electoral victory cannot be achieved”.
Khaindrava was summoned for questioning by police Tuesday but was not detained.
Georgian officials have warned of potential election-linked unrest after the scandal over prison torture this month sparked nationwide protests.
On Wednesday, the Georgian interior ministry also released audio surveillance tapes which it said proved that opposition politicians including retired footballer Kaladze had links with organized crime.
Kaladze, who is running for Parliament in Monday’s polls as part of the Georgian Dream opposition coalition led by Ivanishvili, has said the claims are false.
Georgia accuses opposition of mafia links before polls
