“The State Security Service (SSS) was little interested in risk assessment,” expert Gia Khukhashvili said while discussing his questioning within the ongoing investigation at the SSS.

As he noted on Palitra News’ program Resume, the purpose of summoning someone for questioning at the SSS is to intimidate society and “kill” discussions about risks related to security.

Khukhashvili explained that his suspicions are also based on the fact that the SSS itself publicizes the issue of summoning people for questioning.

“I don’t think they thought they could personally intimidate me, but the very precedent—summoning someone for questioning and simultaneously publicizing it (I wanted all of this to remain confidential)—indicates an attempt to influence society. They want society to see that I was brought in for questioning and that something is happening. This is a presumption; I cannot state it as fact, but the suspicion arises.

There were two parties: me and the State Security Service. I went to the questioning without any information leaking from me—that is, nothing came from me. What was their goal? Beyond trying to intimidate society and gradually ‘kill’ the topic, it creates the basis for someone, who might get scared, to say, ‘I’d better leave this topic alone, otherwise I could be summoned tomorrow.’ This suspicion naturally arises. Of course, they do not confirm that this was their goal.

The people I spoke with were absolutely constructive. They may genuinely believe in what they are doing, but I will say once again: the ‘bury your head in the sand’ strategy, pretending nothing is happening, seems disastrous for the country,” Khukhashvili stated.

For context, expert Gia Khukhashvili was summoned to the State Security Service for questioning.

His summons was related to statements he made on Palitra News’ program 360 Degrees, which addressed national and regional security issues in the context of developments in the Middle East.