The State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) in Batumi has detained two individuals—a foreign national and a Georgian citizen—on charges of membership in the “Islamic State” (ISIS) terrorist organization and facilitating terrorist activities.
According to SSG Deputy Head Lasha Magradze, a joint special operation was conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Center and the Special Operations Department in the Gardabani municipality and the Adjara region.
Magradze stated that the detainees had joined the ranks of the “Islamic State” terrorist organization and sworn an oath of allegiance. Furthermore, they were prepared to carry out any orders from “Islamic State” leaders.
“These individuals were known to the Counter-Terrorism Center; we also had advance information regarding their entry into Georgia and the purposes of their arrival. They entered the country separately and stayed in a rented apartment. From the moment of entry, both were under the operational control of the Counter-Terrorism Center based on court orders.
The investigation established that these individuals joined the ranks of the ‘Islamic State’ terrorist organization and swore an oath of allegiance (the so-called bay’ah), recording it on video and sending it to the organization’s leaders, thereby expressing unconditional submission to them.
They were ready to carry out any instructions from the ‘Islamic State’ leaders.
It was also established that the detainees planned to leave Georgia for another country, where they were to join ‘Islamic State’ militants,” stated the Deputy Head of the Georgian SSG.
The State Security Service reported that the following items were seized:
- electronic data storage devices;
- unregistered SIM cards;
- mobile phones;
- items featuring “Islamic State” terrorist organization symbols;
- masks;
- personal documents;
- other physical evidence relevant to the case.
“An investigation into this matter is being conducted under Article 328 of the Criminal Code, which covers participation in a foreign terrorist organization and facilitating terrorist activities. The penalty under this article provides for imprisonment for a term of 10 to 17 years.
The State Security Service is a reliable partner in the international counter-terrorism system. We continue to actively implement preventive measures related to international terrorism,” Lasha Magradze stated.
