Georgian Prosecutor's Office investigates 2019 Chorchana checkpoint incident

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia has launched a broad investigation into alleged sabotage and activities threatening the country’s constitutional order and national security. The probe includes an examination of the 2019 construction of a police checkpoint near the occupation line in the village of Chorchana, an incident that has become a focal point in both legal and political circles.

According to the Prosecutor’s statement, the investigation is being conducted under multiple articles of the Georgian Criminal Code, including:

-Article 318 (1) – Acts against the constitutional order of Georgia;

-Article 19-318 (2) – Attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances;

-Article 319 – Assistance to a foreign organization engaged in hostile activity;

-Article 321/1 (2)(a) – Mobilization of finances for activities against national security.

As part of the investigation, former Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri was summoned for questioning. At the time of the Chorchana episode in August 2019, Gomelauri was serving as the head of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSS).

The case centers around the decision to construct a police outpost along the occupation line with Russian-occupied South Ossetia, by former Prime Minister and then-Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia. Georgian Dream claims Gakharia acted unilaterally and without proper coordination, thereby allegedly risking escalation of conflict in the region.

The Chorchana checkpoint issue is also under scrutiny by a temporary parliamentary investigative commission established by Georgian Dream. The commission is tasked with reviewing alleged abuses by former officials spanning the years 2003 to 2012 and is expected to continue its work until July 5, 2025.

During a hearing before the parliamentary investigative commission in April, Gakharia defended the decision, stating that the action was necessary to prevent the loss of 1,800 hectares of Georgian forest territory. He asserted that “everyone knew everything at the time,” even if they now claim otherwise.