Lira Tskhovrebova

Lira Kozaeva-Tskhovrebova (born 1951) is an alleged KGB spy, a self-described independent activist, and founder of the "Association of South Ossetian Women for Democracy and Human Rights". Tskhovrebova first came to public attention following the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, when she started lobbying in the United States to advance the separatist and Russian narrative of events, leading to her exposure.

In December 2008, an investigation by the Associated Press revealed that Lira Tskhovrebova was not an independent activist as she claimed and was in fact connected to South Ossetian KGB and by extension, the Russian intelligence services. After AP confronted Tskhovrebova with phone recordings linking her to the KGB, the interview was stopped by Tskhovrebova's handler from an American public relations firm, telling her not to answer any further questions. Following the incident, State Department cancelled all scheduled meetings with the self-proclaimed activist. Matthew Bryza, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, also expressed his doubts about Tskhovrebova, saying that "It is unique in my years of experience in the Caucasus that [an independent activist] has representation by an expensive public relations firm. That sets off alarm bells."[1][2]

References

  1. ↑ David Edwards; Muriel Kane (2008-12-15). "Georgia charges South Ossetia activist is KGB spy".
  2. ↑ "South Ossetia Fighting: Independent or a Plant?". Associated Press. 2008-12-15.
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