Juglander Review
Mktvartvelo: Brzdmtsveli Ketevan accused to be a member of secret organization
Okropir Mochvenebadze, a controversial writer and journalist, has gained notoriety in recent days, after he accused Brzdmtsveli Ketevan, head of state of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo, of being a member of a secret society, the Sorority of the Sacred Signs.
Mochvenebadze is not someone new to controversy. In the 1980s and 1990s he was involved as writer in paranormal magazines, publishing several books on the topic and even leading a radio show on the topic during nine years. He later become more involved in politics, founding a short-lived political magazine, and running as candidate to the National Assembly twice and once to the Council of State. He does not exactly enjoy a strong following, but he has been able to gain some attention with his often wild claims, which often revolve around ultra-nationalism and conspiracy theories. His last book was published more than five months ago, but his claims only gained traction last week, when he was interviewed in a live podcast. "The recent events", Mochvenebadze assured during the interview, in reference to the wave of protests and consequent political crisis, "have backed my research about the [Brzdmtsveli Ketevan's] election and subsequent policy decisions and political events". Mochvenebadze assures that a collusion of a theological cabal funded by foreign interests aimed to weaken the state institutions and increase migration are behind such developments.
Mochvenebadze's claims were described as "the ramblings of a madman" and "conspiracy theory" by both right-leaning and left-leaning media in Mktvartvelo, however, they received attention and comments in social media. The claims could also imply legal problems for the controversial author, as insulting and defaming of the Brzdmtsveli (Mktvartvelo's head of state) is a crime in Mktvartvelian law, punishable by up to eight years in prison.
But what's the "Sorority of the Sacred Signs"?
The Sorority of the Sacred Signs, established in 1979, is the offshoot of an older and more controversial organization, the Brotherhood of Brothers. While its origins remain unclear, it is believed that the Brotherhood of Brothers was established in the late 19th century as a secret organization. They were heavily involved in the coup d'etat against Tamara I (Brzdmtsveli Ketevan's great-great-grandmother) and during the National War (1897-1904). While the influence of the organization waned in the 1930s, experienced a reboot in the 1960s. However, for the involvement of some of their leading members in the failed 1977 coup d'etat, the organization was officially dissolved. Only in the late 1990s, some former members were allowed to establish a new organization, the Mktvartvelian Brotherhood, which many consider a new incarnation of the Brotherhood of Brothers.
While the Brotherhood of Brothers was a men-only organization, it established a women's wing, the Sorority Charter, which also operated as a secret organization. After the 1977 failed coup d'etat, the Sorority Charter broke up relations with the main organization, the Brotherhood, and renamed as the "Sorority of Sacred Signs" in 1979. Since then, the Sorority has operated as an independent organization. While often called a "secret organization" and its membership is unknown and the leadership, rules and meetings are not public, the existence of the Sorority is not exactly a secret, as the organization has its headquarters in the city Azavrelia, in the building of an old theatre that the organization acquired in 2001.
The Sorority of the Sacred Signs describes itself as an apolitical organization which is aim is to "promote cooperation, friendship, and understanding through devotion and spiritual awakening". The organization rejects to be a religious organization, despite the belief in initiation rites to join the organization. Being an active member of the Order of Simartlea is considered a requirement, and its membership is believed to be open to prominent members of the community, including religious magistrates and retired priestesses of the Order. Only women are allowed as members. Despite rumours, however, the Order of Simartlea denies to have any links with the Sorority, as actived priestesses are not allowed to join any kind of political and social associations. The Sorority is believed to have five chapters (as their regional sections are called) throughout the country.
There is no knowledge of Brzdmtsveli Ketevan to have been a member of the organization, before or after becoming head of state, nor being present in any official or unofficial meeting of the organization.
Okropir Mochvenebadze declared yesterday that he "is not afraid of any legal consequence" as he remains "certain about the truth of my research" and he "will not be silenced". Mochvenebadze has declared that he has confidence in Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia and Mktvartvelo's armed forces as "the only force able to bring unity and strength against our enemies, inside and outside our nation", but he is "strongly considering" to try to enter in politics once again to offer his contribution toward "the salvation of our nation".
The Office of the Brzdmtsveli has not officially commented in these claims and controversy.
