Politically connected groups are allegedly planning to distribute falsified video and audio recordings, manipulated with artificial intelligence and other modern technologies, ahead of Georgia's upcoming parliamentary elections, the Georgian State Security Service (SSSG) has announced.

The agency claims that the fake recordings will feature the voices and video images of Georgian government officials.

"The purpose of disseminating this false information is to incite confrontation between the branches of government, as well as to stir hostility between the government and the Orthodox Church, and to strain relations between the government and Western partners," the agency said in a statement released on the morning of October 16.

"The distributors of these falsified materials intend to present the fake recordings to the public as information leaked from the State Security Service, hoping to discredit the agency on the one hand, and to sow discord between the branches of government on the other," the statement continued.

"The primary goal of this provocation is to artificially create and amplify protest sentiments, establishing centers of destabilization in the country, which will ultimately serve political purposes," the SSSG claimed. The agency also noted that it is "closely monitoring the activities of these groups and will take appropriate measures if any violations of the law occur."

Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, commented on the announcement: "We are talking about political forces that do not wish well for our country. This involves both foreign actors and internal forces, particularly the radical opposition and their foreign backers. However, I believe such actions will not affect the election results. It's reassuring that our state agencies, particularly the State Security Service, remain vigilant. Special care is necessary to ensure that no one can negatively influence these elections. Therefore, we must thank the State Security Service for providing this important information to the public, allowing them to stay alert."

This follows a previous statement released by the SSSG on July 24, which alleged plans for the assassination of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the "Georgian Dream" party.

The SSSG was "investigating the facts regarding the preparation of the murder of Bidzina Ivanishvili, organized and financed by former high-ranking officials of the Georgian government and former employees of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies." Similar claims about "anti-state conspiracies" made verbally in the past have not resulted in the arrest or prosecution of any perpetrators.

Kremlin Accuses West of Interference in Georgian Elections

On October 15, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Western countries of attempting to exert influence on Georgia's ongoing election campaign. In an interview, Peskov claimed that Western nations are placing undue pressure on the Georgian government in an attempt to shape the outcome of the elections.

"We are witnessing blatant efforts by Western countries to pressure the current Georgian authorities and exert direct, undisguised influence on the election campaign," Peskov said. He emphasized, however, that Russia is not involved in such activities, stating, “We do not and will not interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs in any way.”