European Parliament member Marina Kaljurand urges the Georgian authorities to “annul the information exchange agreement between the SSG and the Belarusian regime’s infamous KGB.”

“Lukashenka has been unsurping power since 09/08/2020 falsified election. Belarusian exiles who found safe haven in Georgia must be fully protected!” she tweeted.

I urge the Georgian authorities to annul the information exchange agreement between the SSG & the Belarusian regime’s infamous KGB. Lukashenka has been unsurping power since 09/08/2020 falsified election. Belarusian exiles who found safe haven in Georgia must be fully protected!

— Marina Kaljurand MEP (@MarinaKaljurand) August 16, 2021

Earlier today Georgian State Security Service (SSG) echoed the 2016 agreement between the intelligence agencies of Belarus and Georgia that entered into force on August 1 and triggered a public concern.

SSG claimed, “the state voluntarily exchanges the information and does not oblige the parties to carry out an act which is against their state interests.”

The agreement aims at fighting against terrorism, corruption, other international and transnational organized crimes committed against state security.

Georgian watchdog urged the authorities not to get into the agreement. Human Rights House fears it will pose a threat to Belarusian exiles in Georgia, especially to human rights defenders and activists.

Belsat TV, a Poland-based broadcaster aimed at Belarus, cast doubts whether the agreement affects Belarusians who fled to Georgia in fear of persecution by the government of Alexander Lukashenko.