Menu
Latest
Menu
Latest
News

Georgia shaken by news of possible attempt to poison the Patriarch

13 February 2017

There is widespread shock in Georgia after news emerged of a possible attempt to poison the Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgians, Ilya II. The Patriarch, a hugely respected figure in Georgian society, is currently in Germany for medical treatment.

Georgian Chief Prosecutor Irakli Shotadze held a special briefing this afternoon where he said that archpriest Giorgi Mamaladze, deputy head of the Patriarchate's Property Management Service and director general of the Patriarchate's medical centre, was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport from where he intended to depart to Germany on February 10.

Police searched the archpriest and found the poisonous substance cyanide on his person.

Citing "the interests of the investigation", Shotadze did not identify the person Mamaladze allegedly planned to murder. Shotadze however said that the person whose murder was allegedly being planned "is a very important person for our country".

He added that upon receiving the information about the alleged preparation of the crime, he phoned Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, following which guards from the State Security Service of Georgia were sent to Germany to bolster the Patriarch's security.

Ilia II underwent a laparoscopic gallbladder surgery at one of Germany's prestigious clinics in Berlin this afternoon. His surgeon said the procedure was successful and the Patriarch is in good health now.

At today's briefing the Chief Prosecutor also said that Mamaladze is exercising his right to silence and is not pleading guilty to the alleged crime, which, if proven, could send him behind bars for 7-15 years.

Shotadze said that police received information about the alleged preparation of the crime from someone who knew Mamaladze and from whom the archpriest had asked for help in obtaining cyanide. Shotadze did not identify this person either but said the information was received on February 2 and an investigation had been launched immediately.

The Chief Prosecutor also said that police searched the archpriest's home and found an unregistered handmade firearm with six cartridges.

Shotadze said he made today's statement due to high public interest in the matter, but he refused to reveal further details of the case. He said that there are several versions as to why the archpriest was allegedly planning the murder, and who else could have been involved in the plot.

Commonspace.eu political editor said in a comment that the news has shocked Georgian society where Ilya II is venerated by large sections of the population. The Patriarch is seen as a symbol of national unity and continuity that helped to keep Georgian society together in difficult times over the last three decades. Although in frail health the Patriarch continues to conduct regular public functions. Last year he received in Georgia Pope Francis. There are concerns in Georgia about the future of the Georgian Orthodox Church and issues of succession. The Church's synod is divided and strong personalities are often seen tearing the church apart. No one was however prepared for today's news which, if confirmed, is bound to have serious implications for the Church and its future.

source: commonspace.eu with agenda.ge.

photo: Catholicos Patriarch of all Georgians Ilya II (archive picture)

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Key European countries back Denmark in the face of Trump's continuing insistence on taking over Greenland
Trending

Key European countries back Denmark in the face of Trump's continuing insistence on taking over Greenland

6 January 2026
 Six major European countries have declared their support to Denmark following renewed insistence by the US that it must have control over Greenland. "Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations," said the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain, in a joint statement, issued on Tuesday (6 January), together with Denmark. On Sunday, Donald Trump said the US "needed" Greenland - a semi-autonomous region of fellow Nato member Denmark - for security reasons. He has refused to rule out the use of force to take control of the territory, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Monday that an attack by the US would spell the end of Nato. The issue of Greenland's future resurfaced in the wake of the US military intervention in Venezuela, during which elite troops went in to seize the country's President Nicolás Maduro and take him to face drugs and weapons charges in New York. Following the raid, Trump said the US would "run" Venezuela for an unspecified period of time. He also said the US was returning to an 1823 policy of US supremacy in its sphere of influence in the Western hemisphere - and he warned a number of countries the US could turn its attention to them. The US military raid in Venezuela has reignited fears that the US may consider using force to secure control of Greenland. A day after the raid, Katie Miller - the wife of one of Trump's senior aides - posted on social media a map of Greenland in the colours of the American flag, alongside the word "SOON". On Monday, her husband Stephen Miller said it was "the formal position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the US". In an interview with CNN, he also said the US "is the power of Nato. For the US to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend Nato and Nato interests, obviously Greenland should be part of the US." Asked repeatedly whether the US would rule out using force to annex it, Miller responded: "Nobody's going to fight the US over the future of Greenland." Stressing they were as keen as the US in Arctic security, the seven European signatories of Tuesday's joint statement said this must be achieved by Nato allies, including the US "collectively" - whilst "upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders". Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the statement and called for "respectful dialogue". "The dialogue must take place with respect for the fact that Greenland's status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity," Nielsen said. Trump has claimed that making Greenland part of the US would serve American security interests due to its strategic location and its abundance of minerals critical to high-tech sectors. Greenland, which has a population of 57,000 people, has had extensive self-government since 1979, though defence and foreign policy remain in Danish hands. While most Greenlanders favour eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the US.
Editor's choice
News
Donald Tusk: "One for all, and all for one! Otherwise we are finished."
Trending

Donald Tusk: "One for all, and all for one! Otherwise we are finished."

5 January 2026
Europe is rattled by events in Venezuela, and there are serious concerns that US disregard for international law may have consequences close to home.  The BBC diplomatic correspondent, James Landale, said, the question is how Europe may respond in the longer term to America's military operation in Venezuela. Will it provide a catalyst for the continent to take greater responsibility for its own security in the face of so much instability from what many see as an unreliable ally? Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, appears to have answered the question, saying on social media: "No-one will take seriously a weak and divided Europe: neither enemy nor ally. It is already clear now. "We must finally believe in our own strength, we must continue to arm ourselves, we must stay united like never before. One for all, and all for one. Otherwise, we are finished." The US seizing of Venezuela's leader has faced strong criticism from both America's friends and foes at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, held on Monday, 5 January. Many member states agreed with the US that Nicolás Maduro had been an illegitimate and repressive leader. But many also condemned the US military action as a breach of international law and the UN Charter, and they demanded a democratic transition that reflected the will of the Venezuelan people. (click the image to read the full article).

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Key European countries back Denmark in the face of Trump's continuing insistence on taking over Greenland
Trending

Key European countries back Denmark in the face of Trump's continuing insistence on taking over Greenland

6 January 2026
 Six major European countries have declared their support to Denmark following renewed insistence by the US that it must have control over Greenland. "Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations," said the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain, in a joint statement, issued on Tuesday (6 January), together with Denmark. On Sunday, Donald Trump said the US "needed" Greenland - a semi-autonomous region of fellow Nato member Denmark - for security reasons. He has refused to rule out the use of force to take control of the territory, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Monday that an attack by the US would spell the end of Nato. The issue of Greenland's future resurfaced in the wake of the US military intervention in Venezuela, during which elite troops went in to seize the country's President Nicolás Maduro and take him to face drugs and weapons charges in New York. Following the raid, Trump said the US would "run" Venezuela for an unspecified period of time. He also said the US was returning to an 1823 policy of US supremacy in its sphere of influence in the Western hemisphere - and he warned a number of countries the US could turn its attention to them. The US military raid in Venezuela has reignited fears that the US may consider using force to secure control of Greenland. A day after the raid, Katie Miller - the wife of one of Trump's senior aides - posted on social media a map of Greenland in the colours of the American flag, alongside the word "SOON". On Monday, her husband Stephen Miller said it was "the formal position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the US". In an interview with CNN, he also said the US "is the power of Nato. For the US to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend Nato and Nato interests, obviously Greenland should be part of the US." Asked repeatedly whether the US would rule out using force to annex it, Miller responded: "Nobody's going to fight the US over the future of Greenland." Stressing they were as keen as the US in Arctic security, the seven European signatories of Tuesday's joint statement said this must be achieved by Nato allies, including the US "collectively" - whilst "upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders". Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the statement and called for "respectful dialogue". "The dialogue must take place with respect for the fact that Greenland's status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity," Nielsen said. Trump has claimed that making Greenland part of the US would serve American security interests due to its strategic location and its abundance of minerals critical to high-tech sectors. Greenland, which has a population of 57,000 people, has had extensive self-government since 1979, though defence and foreign policy remain in Danish hands. While most Greenlanders favour eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the US.