Within the framework of parliamentary oversight, Irakli Sesiashvili, the chairman of the Trust Group of the Parliament of Georgia, visited the LEPL Operative-Technical Agency under the State Security Service of Georgia. The Chairman of the Trust group received the information on the implemented activities of the Agency. Koba Kobidze, the head of the Operative-Technical Agency provided the chairman of the Trust Group with the information on Agency’s activities.

“Today we are conducting examinations of the Agency’s activities in the scope of the responsibilities introduced pursuant to the Law on Trust Group. Today, I have had an opportunity to get familiarized with the activities and specifics of this Agency, as well as with the technical capabilities and challenges which the Agency faces. I can tell you that the established stereotype about the “OTO” being an instrument with the means of which people are being wiretapped, is not true, because the legislation is strictly implemented which envisages the application of the technical capabilities only on the basis of court ruling. This is one point. As for the second point – this Agency has very serious capabilities which aims at developing of IT opportunities, the county needs and this is the basic service that is provided to practically all state agencies, as well as private sector, overall serving the security of our country. On the other hand, development of our county, well-being of our citizens, investments, tourism and so on and so forth is dependent on the security of our country. Thus, this first visit, this examination has been very important for me, and obviously, after me, my colleagues will be given the opportunity to get familiarized with the activities and specifics of this system” - the Head of the Trust Group Irakli Sesiashvili stated upon conclusion of the meeting.

On the basis of “The Law of Georgia on Operative-Technical Agency” the Trust Group is granted the authority to examine the Agency. The Trust Group is authorized to make a decision on examining the Agency’s activities and chooses one person out of the Trust Group in order to do so. The Trust Group is authorized to provide recommendations to the Agency on the improvement of its activities.

Furthermore, in accordance to the Law, the LEPL Operative-technical Agency under the State Security Service of Georgia delivers to the Trust Group an annual statistical and generalized report on Agency’s implemented activities.

Pursuant to the Law, the Operative-Technical Agency has already provided the Trust Group with 2017 Report on the activities of the Agency.