I think it is a great stupidity that the [MIA] buys these cameras in Moscow. Not only Moscow or any city in Russia, no procurement from any place connected to Russia has come to me for signature. Don’t be delusional and don’t see Russia everywhere! - this is how Vice Prime Minister, State Minister for Coordination of Law Enforcement Bodies Mamuka Mdinaradze responded to journalists’ question regarding the information spread by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), based on Algorithmwatch’s investigation. The information states that the Ministry of Internal Affairs purchases the facial recognition system used against protest rallies from a sanctioned Russian company that is obligated to cooperate with Russian security services.

As Mdinaradze noted, “Sulkhan Tamazashvili will not quietly buy cameras from Moscow behind his back.”

“I wish you a deep old age and health, a very long life. I wish you that in your old age the FSB will be watching you, etc. May these fears not possess you. I wish you deep old age and that you do not dream every night about the FSB watching you or facial recognition cameras recognizing you. May these madnesses not appear in your dreams. This is my answer.

As for facial recognition cameras, we will try to install them not only on Rustaveli Avenue and in central areas, but throughout the whole country for the purpose of crime prevention. The whole world acts this way based on security measures and anti-terrorist purposes. Including for the primary purpose of crime prevention. We will try to install them in public spaces across the entire country, not only in central districts.

I think it is a great stupidity that the [MIA] buys these cameras in Moscow. Since I have been in this position, I sign every procurement. No procurement has passed without my consent. Not only Moscow or any city in Russia, no procurement from any place connected to Russia has come to me for signature, and Sulkhan Tamazashvili will not quietly buy some cameras from Moscow - that is out of the question. Don’t be delusional and don’t see Russia everywhere!” Mdinaradze stated.

For information: GYLA is responding to Algorithmwatch’s investigation regarding facial recognition surveillance cameras. On June 27, 2026, Algorithmwatch published an investigation according to which the Ministry of Internal Affairs purchases the facial recognition system used against protest rallies from a sanctioned Russian company that is obligated to cooperate with Russian security services.

According to them, since the end of 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been actively using surveillance technologies against protests, the incompatibility of which with human rights GYLA has repeatedly highlighted. The use of such technologies against peaceful protests, in the absence of sufficient information about their characteristics and the lack of legislative guarantees for the protection of human rights, clearly serves to suppress protests, punish people for exercising their freedom of assembly, and create a chilling effect in society.