The State Security Service of Georgia (SSS) has reported the detention of a Georgian citizen on espionage charges. The individual allegedly acted on the instructions of foreign intelligence representatives, engaging in the collection and transmission of information.
Lasha Magradze, the First Deputy Head of the SSS, shared details of the case during a briefing. According to him, intensive counter-intelligence operations had been underway for the past several months.
The investigation established that the detainee held a senior position in a government agency. As Magradze noted, the suspect “systematically collected information” in the interests of a foreign intelligence service, leveraging his current official position as well as former roles and personal connections within various structures.
According to the SSS, the suspect maintained “systematic, well-organized clandestine contacts” with a representative of the foreign intelligence service. Meetings were held in various locations under strict secrecy, with encrypted communication used for coordination. Data was transmitted both during face-to-face meetings and via electronic means.
According to the agency’s statement, the transmitted information included classified data related to political and economic processes in Georgia, the situation within the security forces, and information regarding ethnic and religious minorities.
Furthermore, investigators claim that, acting on instructions from the foreign party, the detainee worked on creating information platforms. Their goal was to recruit media representatives and obtain “intelligence,” including information about other countries in the region.
The SSS believes that the accused acted for the purpose of financial gain.
The investigation is being conducted under Part 1 of Article 314 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (“Espionage”), which carries a sentence of 8 to 12 years in prison.
