Georgia’s Security Service alleges continued efforts to overthrow Gov’t in 2024 report

The State Security Service of Georgia (SSS) claims in its 2024 annual report that attempts to overthrow the government through violent means persisted during the reporting period.

According to the report, foreign intelligence services and both domestic and international actors used so-called “hybrid warfare” tools in attempts to influence Georgia’s political and economic processes. These efforts reportedly included disinformation and propaganda campaigns, some involving representatives from Western countries and institutions. The SSS argues that these actions helped fuel anti-Western sentiment within Georgia and bolstered similar campaigns by foreign intelligence services.

The report reiterates allegations made in 2023, asserting that there were foreign-funded attempts to overthrow the Georgian government, though it again refrains from naming specific countries. Since 2014, the ruling Georgian Dream party has frequently referenced alleged coup plots orchestrated by opposition forces.

The SSS identifies the Russian Federation’s ongoing occupation of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions as the most significant threat to national security. It warns of increased efforts by Russia to further “Russify” these territories and integrate them through military, financial, and demographic means.

The report highlights numerous incidents from 2024, including:

– 37 cases of illegal detention in the Abkhazia region

– 36 such cases in South Ossetia

– 45 instances of illegal “borderization” in South Ossetia, and one in Abkhazia

It also points to Russia’s push to restore Sukhumi airport, attract Russian “investors,” and develop the Ochamchire port as examples of its annexation policy.

A notable section of the report describes foreign actors’ interest in shaping Georgia’s youth to be more loyal to foreign countries and aligned with non-traditional national values. The SSS claims that specific groups, both inside and outside Georgia, aimed to provoke civil unrest under the pretext of issues such as the controversial “foreign agents” law and alleged election fraud.

The ultimate goal of these provocations, the SSS alleges, was to incite violence and force a government change. It also reports that some Georgian citizens fighting in Ukraine were allegedly involved in planning such activities, including the possible assassination of government officials.

The report further accuses unnamed political parties and NGOs of cooperating with foreign powers, suggesting they participated in coordinated campaigns and events but stops short of naming individuals or providing legal classifications for these alleged crimes.

The SSS warns that foreign intelligence services attempted to exploit religious organizations for political purposes and allegedly sought to create religiously motivated political groups to support foreign interests. It mentions efforts to build a religiously influenced voter base.

As part of its counterintelligence efforts, the agency monitored the activities of foreign-owned businesses in Georgia for potential ties to foreign intelligence services. Some of these businesses, the report claims, dealt with goods that could have dual civilian and military uses and maintained links to foreign defense entities.

In 2024, the counterintelligence department launched eight criminal investigations and shared dozens of intelligence leads with investigative bodies.

The report also notes that the SSS reviewed 77,894 applications for residence permits from foreign nationals, issuing 5,316 negative recommendations. It also reviewed 12,406 cases related to Georgian citizenship and identified 186 instances where foreign nationals allegedly tried to obtain residency using falsified documents.