Counterterrorism Centre of the State Security Service of Georgia [SSSG] carried out a series of coordinated operations in Adjara, targeting suspected involvement in a foreign terrorist organization and assistance in terrorist activities. Lasha Maghradze, First Deputy Head of the SSSG, said this at today’s briefing.

“Under a court order, special operations were conducted simultaneously at 5 separate locations. As a result, 3 Georgian citizens have been detained.

The evidence obtained through operational, investigative, and search measures revealed specific terrorist activities. Members of the so-called “Takfirist” group, radicalized by extremist ideology, were found to have connections with influential foreign leaders of the terrorist organization the “Islamic State”.

Acting on instructions from these leaders, the group had established a radical extremist organization with the intention of carrying out future terrorist objectives. The group was noted for exhibiting particular aggression toward followers of other religions.

According to information in the case, members of the aforementioned group were planning to illegally bring influential members of the ISIS terrorist organization into Georgia. Under their leadership, they aimed to establish a base of operations, which would enable them to receive and host like-minded individuals unlawfully, provide logistical support, and utilize Georgian territory as a transit point for terrorist activities.

As a result of investigative actions, authorities seized items bearing terrorist symbols, explosives, large quantities of ammunition, firearms, military equipment, mobile phones, electronic storage devices, significant sums of cash in various currencies, and other evidence relevant to the case.

The investigation is being carried out under Articles 236 and 328 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which relate to the illegal acquisition and possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosive substances, membership of a foreign terrorist organisation, and assistance to terrorist activities. The offence carries a penalty of up to seventeen years’ imprisonment”, - said Lasha Maghradze.