Thread by @KShoshiashvili

BREAKING: The houses of @EtoBuziashvili and @SGelava, researchers at the Atlantic Council’s @DFRLab, are being searched. The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance has entered Eto’s apartment, and devices at Sopo’s home are being seized. The “investigation” is underway under three articles, just two days before Georgia’s parliamentary elections.

"They arrived around 8 o'clock in the morning. They did not inform me that they were from the financial police; instead, they claimed to be from the gas inspection service and said there was a leak issue. About six people rushed in and immediately began searching. They took my phone and did not allow me to contact a lawyer. They were particularly interested in documentation and technology, this was their motive. The search lasted for about two hours." @EtoBuziashvili told @FormulaGe

"They came in the morning and informed me that financial investigations were underway involving the company I have a contract with. I work for the Atlantic Council, where I investigate government and pro-Russian interference in Georgia, as well as information operations and disinformation. They provided no further details before beginning their search, during which they seized my laptop and phone. They also took my husband's laptop—he is a politician. At this point, we have no additional information. We have been summoned for questioning" @SGelava told @FormulaGe

formulanews.ge/News/118897

"I have been summoned for questioning. The only thing they mentioned being interested in is my organization, @AtlanticCouncil, an American non-governmental organization. We are conducting an in-depth investigation into Russian intelligence operations"— Eto added.

The investigation has been launched into group money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion.

Ana Ghakhokidze, lawyer for Eto Buziashvili, informed RFE/RL that only a general search warrant has been issued.

Who the accused is in this case remains unknown.

radiotavisupleba.ge/a/%E1%83%90%E1…

The Ministry of Finance's investigative service says today’s searches are linked to the so-called "call centers" case. They add that investigative activities were conducted at three alleged "call center" locations, and the specified locations were searched based on a judge's order.

For those who don't have info about so called call Center case: civil.ge/archives/622901

Many things obviously do not make sense in how this is unfolding, I will keep reporting on these developments below.

The Ministry of Finance's investigative service statement: is.ge/ka-ge/%E1%83%A…

I express my full solidarity with Georgia's leading disinformation experts, @EtoBuziashvili and @SGelava.

The regime understands the importance of their research. Kremlin propagandists did too,

Eto was just named among 20 women combating disinformation and information threats by @NATO.antimaidan.ru/news/19296

@EtoBuziashvili @SGelava x.com/ikelly731/stat… x.com/ikelly731/stat…

@EtoBuziashvili @SGelava x.com/formulage/stat… x.com/formulage/stat…

@EtoBuziashvili @SGelava On Wednesday, Buziashvili published a report titled: “Russia is directly and indirectly meddling in Georgia’s upcoming election.” The next morning police showed up at her door.

occrp.org/en/news/georgi…

Today, five searches were conducted, including at the homes of Etos, Sopo, comedian Onise Tskhadadze, citizen Valeri Tkeshelashvili, and U.S. company Concentrix's local office.

"The Ministry’s Investigation Service raided the Tbilisi headquarters of Concentrix, a Fortune 500 American business process outsourcing company. Employees were not allowed to enter the office during the search, and only managers were present. “This big misunderstanding is going to hurt Georgia globally,” the Concentrix representative said. The company entered Georgia in 2021, and since then has been working to support foreign investment."

civil.ge/archives/629961

When asked to @Zourabichvili_S about searched of Eto’s and Sopo’s apartment, the President said: This is typical psychological pressure and intimidation. We must endure it and not be afraid.

@Zourabichvili_S It seems like Eto’s and Sopo’s questioning has been postponed indefinitely.

The official statement by @AtlanticCouncil:

https://x.com/AtlanticCouncil/status/1849533636237721881

Propaganda Facebook pages are circulating posters depicting Eto as being involved in scam call centers.

The inscription reads: "Atlantic Council researcher and prominent Facebook censor Eto Buziashvili was involved in the scam scheme". The poster text adds, "Yes, your pension savings are insured".