Georgian State Security Service detains two individuals over ISIS membership
As part of a joint special operation conducted by the Counterterrorist Center and the Special Operations Department of the State Security Service of Georgia in the Gardabani municipality and the Adjara region, one foreign citizen and one Georgian citizen have been detained in the city of Batumi.
The Counterterrorist Center was already aware of these individuals and possessed advance information regarding their entry into Georgia and the specific purpose of their arrival.
“They entered Georgia separately and settled in a rented apartment. From the day of their entry, both individuals remained under the operational control of the Counterterrorist Center, carried out based on relevant court warrants”, said Lasha Maghradze, the first deputy head of the State Security Service of Georgia.
The individuals joined the ranks of the terrorist organization Islamic State.
They swore an oath of allegiance, which they recorded as a video file and sent to the organisation's leaders, declaring unconditional obedience.
“They were prepared to carry out any type of assignment issued by Islamic State leaders. The detainees were planning to travel from Georgia to another country to join Islamic State fighters”, Maghradze continued.
During the investigative actions, authorities seized electronic data storage devices, unregistered SIM cards and mobile phones, items featuring the symbolism of the Islamic State terrorist organisation, masks, personal documents, and other evidence significant to the case.
The investigation is ongoing under Article 328 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to joining a foreign terrorist organisation and assisting in terrorist activities. This crime is punishable by 10 to 17 years of imprisonment.
“The State Security Service is a reliable partner in the international system for the fight against terrorism. We actively continue to implement preventive measures related to international terrorism”, the official concluded.
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