Officers of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) have detained two Georgian citizens on charges of joining a foreign terrorist organization and aiding terrorist activities. The special operation was carried out in the Gardabani and Kareli municipalities with the involvement of forces from the SSSG Counterterrorism Center. The detentions were conducted pursuant to a court order.
According to the State Security Service, the investigation established that the individuals had joined the Islamic State terrorist organization, sworn an oath of allegiance (the so-called bay’ah) to its leader, and pledged unconditional obedience to him.
“As a result of personal searches and investigative measures conducted at the detainees’ residences, physical evidence seized included a handwritten text of the oath of allegiance—‘bay’ah’—to the leader of the Islamic State terrorist organization, a stamp bearing an Islamic inscription, various types of ammunition, a hand grenade, a detonator cap, and electronic data storage devices.”
The investigation is being conducted under Article 328 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provides for liability for joining a foreign terrorist organization and assisting in terrorist activities. The offense is punishable by 10 to 17 years of imprisonment.