As part of a joint special operation conducted by the Counterterrorist Center and the Special Operations Department of the State Security Service of Georgia [SSSG] in the Gardabani municipality and Adjara, 1 foreign citizen and 1 Georgian citizen have been detained in Batumi. The first deputy head of the State Security Service of Georgia said this at today`s briefing.

"These individuals 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.

The mentioned persons 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 organization’s leaders, declaring unconditional obedience. They were prepared to carry out any type of assignment issued by Islamic State [IS] leaders.

The detainees were planning to travel from Georgia to another country to join Islamic State fighters.

During the investigative actions, authorities seized electronic data storage devices, unregistered SIM cards and mobile phones, items featuring the symbolism of the IS terrorist organization, 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 organization and assisting in terrorist activities. This crime is punishable by 10 to 17 years of imprisonment.

The SSSG is a reliable partner in the international system for the fight against terrorism. We actively continue to implement preventive measures related to international terrorism", - said Lasha Maghradze.