A recent operation by Georgian State Security Services has strained diplomatic relations between France and Georgia, leading to the urgent recall of French intelligence operatives, writes the “Intelligence Online”

Antoine Izambard, editor of the publication, writes in an article that France’s foreign intelligence agency was forced to withdraw 2 of its agents from Tbilisi back to Paris.

“The Georgian government, in order to avoid aggravating diplomatic relations, refused to declare the French intelligence agents “persona non grata” and only demanded their withdrawal from the country, threatening to make their identities public if this demand was not met”, - reads the article.

“This was initially a clever move in Georgia by France’s foreign intelligence service, which involved recruiting a member of the inner circle of the country's informal ruler. However, everything turned against French intelligence itself when Georgian counterintelligence uncovered the operation… The fallout began after the State Security Service of Georgia exposed the General Directorate for External Security – France’s external intelligence agency - recruiting a key individual close to Georgia’s billionaire former Prime Minister, Bidzina Ivanishvili”, - adds Antoine Izambard.

On May 8 Mamuka Mdinaradze, Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister / State Minister for the Coordination of Law Enforcement Agencies, warned foreign intelligence services, including those of allied nations, demanding they withdraw operatives engaged in espionage activities on Georgian soil.