Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG) has arrested two individuals in Batumi for alleged links to the Islamic State, OC Media reported. The detainees include one Georgian national and a foreigner from an undisclosed country, apprehended in a joint operation with the Counter Terrorism Centre.
The arrests were reportedly part of a coordinated effort, with the SSG sharing footage of law enforcement officers apprehending the pair in broad daylight. The released footage also included blurred out maps depicting the Mediterranean basin, as noted by OC Media.
The SSG stated it possessed prior intelligence regarding the individuals, having been “aware” of them before their apprehension. The agency had information concerning their entry into Georgia and their specific purpose for being in the country.
According to the SSG’s statement, the suspects arrived in Georgia separately and subsequently settled in a rented apartment in Batumi. Investigators established that they had allegedly “joined the ranks” of the Islamic State.
The SSG further alleged the individuals recorded an oath of allegiance to the terrorist organisation. This act reportedly declared their unconditional obedience to the Islamic State’s leadership, confirming their commitment to the group's agenda.
Investigations revealed the suspects intended to travel onward to an unspecified third country to physically join Islamic State forces. During the arrests, law enforcement seized electronic devices, unregistered SIM cards, mobile phones, Islamic State symbols, masks, and personal documents.
The individuals face charges for joining a foreign terrorist organisation and aiding terrorism under Georgian law. If convicted, they could face significant prison sentences ranging from 10 to 17 years.
This incident underscores Georgia's strategic position as a potential transit point for individuals associated with extremist groups, a persistent concern for regional security. Tbilisi has previously heightened its counter-terrorism efforts, cooperating with international partners against such threats.