The issue concerned my public statements, mainly yesterday’s broadcast on “PalitraNews,” where I spoke about the potential threats that could be realized by Iran against the backdrop of this war, — this was stated by expert Gia Khukhashvili to journalists after leaving the State Security Service (SSS).

According to him, when the SSS contacted him, he did not publicize this information himself because he wanted to “come quietly and talk,” but “the information leaked from the security service,” which, in Khukhashvili’s assessment, is incorrect.

“The issue concerned my public statements, mainly yesterday’s broadcast on ‘PalitraNews,’ where I spoke about the potential threats that could be realized by Iran against the backdrop of this war. The authorities think that the anxiety caused by these statements harms state interests. I think the opposite is true — it is better that we feel a little anxiety so that state security is ensured. We did not agree on this issue; the rest of the conversation was constructive.

What caused my certain irritation was that when they contacted me from the SSS, I did not publicize this information because I wanted to come quietly and talk, but for some reason this information spread. I did not disseminate this information, so the leak occurred from the security service itself, which I consider incorrect,” — stated Khukhashvili.

As Khukhashvili noted, his public statements aim to ensure that the security service prevents the risks he is talking about.

“[The charges] are based on the fact that if illegal re-export schemes are operating in Georgia, it would be impossible without the patronage of the authorities.

The threats come from the statements as well, but the bigger threats are those that may be expected against the backdrop of this war. Accordingly, nothing is ideal. Between two evils, one should choose the lesser. My public statements are precisely aimed at ensuring that the security service prevents those risks I am talking about,” — stated Gia Khukhashvili.

Speaking on the same topic, Khukhashvili noted that his public statements were based on already disseminated information, and if he had exclusive information, he would have told the SSS himself.

“My statements were only about what had already been disseminated. I could not tell the SSS anything new. If I had any exclusive information, of course I would have told the security service first. I was speaking based on the public discussion that was taking place in society,” — explained Gia Khukhashvili.

According to him, the SSS should build some kind of communication with society around this issue.

“When you summon people for questioning who make public statements, you should also have answers to the same questions — for example, regarding Al-Mustafa University — does this university exist or not? When they start reacting to the main threat, this will give answers that are in their interests. They should build some kind of communication with society. Society should not be left with the feeling that the investigation is only going on to cover all this up. The main part of the investigation concerns possible threats coming from Iran. Iran threatens the whole world that they will come to your homes — may such a home never be my homeland, Georgia too,” — explained Khukhashvili.