Georgia’s State Security Service says two individuals — a Georgian and a foreign citizen — have been detained on suspicion of affiliation with the terrorist organization Islamic State.
The suspects were detained in Batumi as part of a special operation conducted across multiple regions of the country.
The State Security Service of Georgia says the operation was carried out within ongoing counterterrorism activities in the Gardabani municipality and the Adjara region. Authorities say they had prior information about the individuals, including details of their entry into Georgia and their alleged intentions.
The agency says the suspects arrived in Georgia separately and were staying in rented accommodation. Their activities were under operational surveillance based on court authorization.
Investigators say the detainees pledged allegiance to ISIS — a process known as “bayat” — which was recorded on video and sent to the group’s leaders. The agency claims the individuals were prepared to follow instructions from the organization.
The SSG says the suspects were planning to leave Georgia for another country to join ISIS fighters.
Authorities say law enforcement officers seized electronic devices, mobile phones, unregistered SIM cards, items bearing ISIS symbols, masks, personal documents, and other materials during the operation.
The investigation is ongoing under Article 328 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which refers to joining a foreign terrorist organization and assisting terrorist activities. The offense is punishable by 10 to 17 years in prison.
