Opposition MP accuses government of using surveillance against clergy

Levan Bezhashvili, a leader of the opposition United National Movement, has accused the Georgian government of creating an economy dominated by casinos, drugs, call centres and banking oligarchs, saying ordinary citizens and members of the clergy are being left with little room to live freely in the country.

Bezhashvili said allegations of government surveillance targeting members of the clergy had been supported by evidence presented by Soso Gogashvili, a former senior official of the State Security Service of Georgia.

Bezhashvili claimed recordings showed that government officials had monitored clerics and their representatives and used the information to exert pressure on them.

He recalled that the Georgian Dream government had enjoyed the support of the clergy and the Patriarchate after coming to power in 2012. However, he argued that the Church and wider society were now increasingly concerned about the country's direction.

Bezhashvili also accused the government of pursuing policies aligned with Russian narratives and betraying national interests. 

His remarks came after Metropolitan Iob said during a sermon that Georgia currently had an unbelieving government that had exhausted its potential.