Minor arrested over false bomb threats at Holy Trinity Cathedral

Georgia’s State Security Service has reported that a minor has been detained in connection with two anonymous bomb threats targeting Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi on 22 March.

According to the agency, the calls were made to the Ministry of Internal Affairs Protection Police Department. The caller claimed to be armed and said the cathedral grounds were mined, threatening to detonate explosives within 20 minutes if an evacuation did not occur. To conceal their identity, the caller reportedly altered their voice, used a foreign virtual phone number, and masked their IP address.

Following a coordinated investigation involving operational and forensic measures, the minor was identified and interrogated on the same day. Authorities seized multiple mobile phones, laptops, and other evidence relevant to the case. The minor has admitted to committing the acts.

The individual faces charges under Article 331 of the Criminal Code for false reporting of terrorism, carrying a possible sentence of three to six years in prison.

The State Security Service stressed that its counterterrorism units are equipped with modern technical resources to detect and identify such criminal acts, and warned that all similar incidents will be met with strict legal action.