Social Media Monitoring

On December 25, it became public knowledge, that a majority of the members of the Parliament of Georgia, without the involvement of other entities, had drafted a legislative initiative to abolish the independent investigative body - the State Inspector's Office and replace it with a Special Investigation Service and Personal Data Protection Service.

The content of the initiative and the expedited conduct of the legislative review was sharply criticized by part of the opposition parties, civil society organizations, the President of Georgia, the Public Defender, the diplomatic corps and international organizations. Part of the society has described such transformation of State Inspector’s Office by the Government as a punitive measure for the independent activities of the Inspector’s Office.The ruling party explains the process by the need to move closer to Western standards of service and the need to separate personal data protection and investigative functions.

In the light of the ongoing processes, a campaign against the head of the State Inspector's Service, Londa Toloraia, is noticeable on social media. Especially on pages where sponsored anonymous discrediting campaigns are conducted in favor of the political interests of the ruling party.

 

At the same time, the information campaign is aimed at creating public opinion that the ruling party's initiative is not directed against the Inspector's Office, but serves to bring it closer to European standards.

It should be noted that the information related to the state inspector is mostly spread on false media pages. These pages use critical assessments made by Levan Gogichaishvili, a Member of the Parliament of the previous convocation, in June 2019 regarding the appointment of Londa Toloraia as State Inspector as a tool for discrediting campaign.

In addition, the posts published against Toloraia contain the assessments of pro-government experts, Irakli Lataria and Andria Gvidiani. The purpose of these posts is to portray Londa Toloraia as a person connected to the United National Movement, the evidence of which is her employment as a prosecutor during the UNMs rule and the fact that she has “Liked” a post of the former chief prosecutor Davit Sakvarelidze on Instagram. In addition, pro-government expert Andria Gvidiani explains the legislative leverage used by the government against the head of the Inspector's Service "in the interests of the people and the country." Moreover, he evaluates the critical assessments expressed by the diplomatic corps and Western institutions as pursuing their own interests.

 

 

 

 

Posts:

1. Blog News – “I opposed the appointment of Londa Toloraia to this position because she was not the person to lead such an important service. Ms. Toloraia is a person of a system, which during a very difficult time - during the previous government, led the juvenile justice policy in the Adeishvili Prosecutor's Office. I think that putting such a person in such a position was absolute cynicism by the Georgian Dream. The Office of the State Inspector is a very important agency; it should investigate the crimes committed by law enforcement agencies. This service also holds one of the keys to control illegal eavesdropping in this country, but judging by the amount secret recordings/wiretaps disseminated recently, I do not remember the service issuing a statement on this subject”. - Said Levan Gogichaishvili.
2. GeoPress - Instead of the State Inspector's Service, a Special Investigation Service and a Personal Data Protection Service are being set up. The relevant legislative package has already been submitted to the Bureau. The head of the current agency Londa Toloraia does not agree with the planned changes.

Former MP Levan Gogichaishvili strongly criticized the appointment of Londa Toloraia. Gogichaishvili still refers to her as Adeishvili's staff and says that her appointment by the ruling team was an act of cynicism.

I opposed the appointment of Londa Toloraia to this position because she was not the person to lead such an important service. Ms. Toloraia is a person of a system, which during a very difficult time - during the previous government, led the juvenile justice policy in the Adeishvili Prosecutor's Office. I think that putting such a person in such a position was absolute cynicism by the Georgian Dream. The Office of the State Inspector is a very important agency, it should investigate the crimes committed by law enforcement agencies. This service also holds one of the keys to control illegal eavesdropping in this country, but judging by the amount secret recordings/wiretaps disseminated recently, I do not remember the service issuing a statement on this subject”. - Said Levan Gogichaishvili.

 

According to him, Londa Toloraia was appointed to this position with the support of the Georgian Dream.

“I made very critical speeches and criticized the Georgian Dream for appointing a young prosecutor, who oversaw juvenile justice in the Adeishvili system, to a very important position. This person was in this position at a time when the harshest policies were being pursued towards minors. They were given the maximum sentence and were then placed and terrorized in the penitentiary system. This is the period when the Special Forces were brought in against minors and were mercilessly beaten, tortured and treated inhumanely.” - Said Levan Gogichaishvili.

3. GeoPress – “Once again on the subject of „DeLondarization” - if I say there is no such thing as a former Natsi [Supporter of the UNM], some of you will rush here in the comments and write nonsense. Londa Toloraia reacts with hearts and expresses love to the Natsi Davit Sakvarelidze on the social network. Do you know from which cabinet she sends these hearts from? When she worked as the director of the Human Rights Department during Gakharia’s time as the Minister of Internal Affairs. Now answer me this - how is this apart from Natsism and the love of Natsis? "- wrote an expert, Irakli Lataria on the social network and publishes the relevant photo-screenshot ..See the screenshot in the comments.
4. GeoPress – “Our country has the most national government in the last 30 years of history – they listen to everyone, befriend everyone, but they make decisions not based on any single individual, but on the interests of the people and the country” - Expert Andria Gvidiani wrote on social network.

“This might come out as a slightly longer post, but I think it's worth both writing and reading it. The government is responsible for protecting and stabilizing the sovereignty, statehood and national interests of the country. The government that the people have given a mandate to, a mandate which primarily means that the elected government should make all decisions by taking into account national and public interests.

This unwritten law of democracy and good governance is strictly enforced in all European countries. For example, Angela Merkel, during her many years in power, would never have thought of making any decision at the expense of conceding any state interests. and so on...

The recent history of our country reminds us of constant fluctuations, war and many misfortunes, but the most unfortunate thing is that foreign influences have always been dangerously strong in Georgia. Even an analysis of the UNM government rule is enough to confirm this. In particular, it should be directly stated that Saakashvili's leadership was "forgiven" by "friends" from the very first year after his election, because he unconditionally and invertedly carried out every "order" of various embassies. Everything was forgiven, torture, murder, raids, adjustment of institutions, even dictatorship - until the Georgian people had had enough and no embassy could do anything about it.

Although I am a supporter of the Georgian Dream, I never shy away from criticizing them when it is necessary. For example, I consider it a big mistake of this government to keep / promote personnel, who started out during the Adeishvili-Merabishvili period, such as Londa Toloraia and others like her. The reason is simple - my experience has shown me that there is no such thing as a former Natsi.

Considering everything, you must be blind not to see that today our country has the most national government in the last 30 years of history. All decisions are in the interests of the people and the country. We must say openly and directly - the criticism that is often heard from ambassadors is not just a matter of friendship and partnership.

Our friends often try to pursue their own interests in our country, which is normal. The main thing here is that the government of the Georgian Dream listens to everyone, befriends everyone, but makes decisions not by anybodies reference, but as I said, taking into account the interests of the people and the country.

This is the reason why the people trusted the Georgian Dream of running the country unconditionally for the third term !!! ", - The expert wrote.

 

In parallel with the false media pages, a sponsored campaign of aggressive discrediting was conducted against state Inspector Londa Toloraia on the anonymous and coordinated pages „პოლიტიკური სატირა/Political Satire" and "პოლიტიკური აბსურდი/Political Absurdity", where she is reffered to as “Adeishvili’s former prosecutor”. The mentioned pages are anonymous, therefore it is unknown who is behind the sponsored campaign.

 

 

In parallel with the discrediting messages, the aim of the information campaign on the false media pages was to spread the messages of the majority MPs, where they justify the liquidation of the State Inspector's Service by establishing two parallel services and bringing it closer to Western standards and increasing the efficiency of the Service.

 

Posts:

1. Media Digest - Sozar Subari: The past two years have shown the Ineffectiveness of the State Inspector's Office.

"The State Inspector's Office, I will not avoid saying this word, was an ugly system from the very beginning. Several people were categorically opposed not only to this union but also to what they demanded. In general, there is no need to create a new investigative structure when you have the most constitutionally independent prosecutor's office in the country. The past two years have shown the ineffectiveness of this as well. You will not find any person who has been brought before a court and charged by this agency. However, as far as I know, about 200 people work and money is spent but during this time it has not shown much effectiveness", - said Subari.

2. Blog News - "I would like to start my speech by addressing the staff of the State Inspector's Office. Clearly, we know that there are a lot of decent people working in this agency who are doing a very important job with high qualifications. No one should believe that the state does not stand by your side, it is important that you know this." - This is how Rati Ionatamishvili, a member of the majority, addressed the staff of the State Inspector at the sitting of the Joint Committee.

As Ionatamishvili stated, their categorical recommendation would be to improve the working conditions of the employees.

"Yesterday the chairman of the faction made a comment, our categorical recommendation will be not just to improve the working conditions of these people, but for them to work with high legitimacy. In fact, instead of one, there will be two agencies and some regulations and obligations will be added to them, and obviously, there are no staff members more experienced than them on this issue. We hear a lot of speculation about this from different sides, which we have to end. No one should believe that the state does not stand by your side." - Said Rati Ionatamishvili.

3. Georgian Report - Guram Macharashvili on Abolition of State Inspector's Service - It is not about personnel, but about strengthening the institution.

It is not about personnel, but about strengthening the institution, - this is how the majority MP Guram Macharashvili explains the decision to abolish the position of State Inspector and the State Inspector's Service.

As Macharashvili told reporters in this context, at the time when investigative functions were added to the Personal Data Protection Inspectorate, NGOs recommended that the Special Investigation Service be separate and independent. According to Macharashvili, the practice has proved that performing two functions independently will be much more effective and the two services will be more institutionally developed.

"Legislative changes were prepared after seeing this. In both departments, the basic principles are maintained: the degree of independence, the procedure for appointing management and transparency. As for the employees, there will be a 2-month transition period until new jobs are created and set up by March 1st. After that, the managers will be selected and the staff will be hired," - said Guram Macharashvili.

 

In parallel with the coordinated Facebook pages, experts affiliated with the government - Levan Nikoleishvili, Andria Gvidiani, Zurab Kadagidze and Zaal Anjaparidze - are involved in the campaign against the Inspector's Office and its head on the social media. The opinions of the listed experts usually coincide with the vision, messages and information policy of the ruling party. Often, their analytical assessments become active in parallel with the most controversial events. In addition to traditional media, the opinions of expert-analysts are also placed in the form of advertisements on Facebook to increase their outreach. Their views are shared by anonymous pages, which are acting in disguise in favor of the Georgian Dream based on ISFEDs observations. The listed experts are trying to portray Toloraia as a staff member of Zurab Adeishvili and, consequently, the United National Movement. Part of the experts are also trying to present critical assessments of the legislative process forced by the West around the Inspector's Office as their subjective interest, and in this context, to justify the incompetence of the government in the interest of state sovereignty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Andria Gvidiani - Interesting news - as you know, a bill on reforming the institution of state inspector has been submitted to the parliament. This project is only available to MPs at this stage and has not even been discussed yet. The project distributed only to the deputies at that time somehow turned out to be in the hands of Londa Toloraia. The fact is that the state inspector and the opposition are in full cooperation and act in agreement. However, Toloraia finds it difficult to admit this of course. The most comical thing is that the person who has to protect the legality of obtaining data and documents, obtains the documents illegally herself.

 

 Zurab Kadagidze - Briefly about the State Inspector Service

1 - It is a lie that the service is being abolished - it is true that the service is being divided.

2 - It is a lie that the functions of the inspector are reduced - it is true that the functions of the inspector are expanded and the following criminal articles are added to it.

3 - It is a lie that employees are left jobless - it is true that all employees will be redeployed to both newly created departments.

4 - It is a lie that someone is against Londa Toloraia - it is true that she can take the leading position in any one of the newly created jobs.

5 - It is a lie that the Inspector's Office is being divided because of Saakashvili's case - It is true that Saakashvili's investigation may be completed by March 1, until then the Inspector's Office will function.

6 - It is a lie that Georgian NGOs are worried about the fate of the inspector - it is true that they are hypocrites. First they protested against creation, now against division.

7 - It is a lie that the opposition is worried about the fate of the inspector - it is true that they first protested against the creation, now against the division.

Are there any questions?

 

 

 

 

  

Zaal Anjaparidze – “This woman is once again unceremoniously interfering in our internal affairs. I think this has become some sport for her”.

 Zurab Kadagidze – Would you have listened to Gogichaishvili and have not appointed Adeishvili’s obedient as an Inspector, the situation would have been different now. This woman has served as a subordinate to Adeishvili for years and has mastered his methods fully, which is obvious.

  

 Andria Gvidiani – “This might come out as a slightly longer post, but I think it's worth both writing and reading it. The government is responsible for protecting and stabilizing the sovereignty, statehood and national interests of the country. The government that the people have given a mandate to, a mandate which primarily means that the elected government should make all decisions by taking into account national and public interests.

This unwritten law of democracy and good governance is strictly enforced in all European countries. For example, Angela Merkel, during her many years in power, would never have thought of making any decision at the expense of conceding any state interests. and so on...

The recent history of our country reminds us of constant fluctuations, war and many misfortunes, but the most unfortunate thing is that foreign influences have always been dangerously strong in Georgia. Even an analysis of the UNM government rule is enough to confirm this. In particular, it should be directly stated that Saakashvili's leadership was "forgiven" by "friends" from the very first year after his election, because he unconditionally and invertedly carried out every "order" of various embassies. Everything was forgiven, torture, murder, raids, adjustment of institutions, even dictatorship - until the Georgian people had had enough and no embassy could do anything about it.

Although I am a supporter of the Georgian Dream, I never shy away from criticizing them when it is necessary. For example, I consider it a big mistake of this government to keep / promote personnel, who started out during the Adeishvili-Merabishvili period, such as Londa Toloraia and others like her. The reason is simple - my experience has shown me that there is no such thing as a former Natsi.

Considering everything, you must be blind not to see that today our country has the most national government in the last 30 years of history. All decisions are in the interests of the people and the country. We must say openly and directly - the criticism that is often heard from ambassadors is not just a matter of friendship and partnership.

Our friends often try to pursue their own interests in our country, which is normal. The main thing here is that the government of the Georgian Dream listens to everyone, befriends everyone, but makes decisions not by anybodies reference, but as I said, taking into account the interests of the people and the country.

This is the reason why the people trusted the Georgian Dream of running the country unconditionally for the third term !!! "

 

 

  

Levan Nikoleishvili - 11.2012-12.2012 - Chief Prosecutor of the Analytical Division of the Department for Supervision of Prosecutorial Activities in the Territorial Bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Chief Prosecutor's Office of Georgia.

12.2010-11.2012 - Department of Supervision over Prosecutorial Activities in the Territorial Bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Ministry of Internal Affairs Head of the Division for Supervision of Prosecutorial Activities in Tbilisi Territorial Bodies, Chief Prosecutor's Office of Georgia.

02.2010-12.2010 - Department of Supervision of Prosecutorial Activities in the Territorial Bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Ministry of Internal Affairs, st. Prosecutor of the Division for Supervision of Prosecutorial Activities in Tbilisi Territorial Bodies, Chief Prosecutor's Office of Georgia.

08.2009-02.2010 - Prosecutor of the Analytical Division of the Department for Supervision of Prosecutorial Activities in the Territorial Bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Chief Prosecutor's Office of Georgia.

01.2009 - 08.2009 - Prosecutor of the Old Tbilisi District Prosecutor's Office, General Prosecutor's Office.

11.2007 - 11.2008 - Intern-Prosecutor of the Old Tbilisi District Prosecutor's Office, General Prosecutor's Office.

Did you guess whose cv this is? Londa Toloraia!

Georgian Dream, It’s dissapointing that you kept and then promoted a staff member of Adeishvili. Get rid of this butcher from the structure immediately!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ongoing information campaign on the anonymous Facebook pages against the head of the State Inspector's Office reveals that she is currently being discredited at the expense of spreading past statements made by the oppositioner Levan Gogichaishvili, and the opinions of government experts, while, the assessments of the deputies of the current ruling party are presented in a positive light and it is convincing that the current legislative process serves to improve the service of the State Inspector.

 

 

Social media monitoring program is implemented with the support of the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (IFA) of Federal Foreign Office of the Federative Republic of Germany. The sole responsibility for the content of this article lies with the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the donor’s position.