Recent developments particularly demonstrate that in the absence of an independent, effective, accountable and efficient State Security Service, it is impossible to hold fair and free elections in the country. Evidence obtained by independent observers indicates that the State Security Service actively participated in the systemic violations of the October 26 parliamentary elections.

The report, which summarizes the eight-month monitoring of parliamentary oversight of the State Security Service, analyzes and critically assesses the effectiveness of existing mechanisms for the parliamentary oversight and control of agencies within the security sector, focusing on the broad powers of the State Security Service and the irrational expenditure of resources. The document also assesses the State Security Service’s 2023 activity report.

Since its establishment, the State Security Service has received over GEL 1 billion in funding from the state budget. Over the past two years, its funding has increased by almost GEL 30 million. At the same time, from January 1, 2020 to March 1, 2024, the State Security Service launched investigations into crimes that, by their nature, do not fall within the Service’s work area. In addition, the launch of investigations into crimes against the State by the State Security Service (without concrete results) makes it clear that the agency is using its mandate to intimidate the public.

Under the above-mentioned circumstances, proper parliamentary control is especially important. The organization considers that parliamentary control over the State Security Service further weakened in 2024, which may be related to the adoption of the “Russian law” by the Parliament, protests, and the Government’s repressive policy.

Passive legislative activity, failure to use interpellation procedure, mandatory attendance at the Defence and Security Committee and other parliamentary oversight mechanisms in relation to the head of the State Security Service, and consideration of the Service's annual report in a closed format and without developing recommendations, have a negative impact on the transparency of the work of the State Security Service, its accountability and public trust in the agency. 

MECHANISMS OF PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT OF THE STATE SECURITY SERVICE AND THEIR PRACTICAL SHORTCOMINGS