Two arrested over alleged links to terrorist organisation, Security Service

Georgia’s State Security Service on Monday said two individuals had been detained in a joint counter-terrorism operation carried out in the Gardabani municipality and the Adjara region.

One foreign national and one Georgian citizen were arrested in the Black Sea city of Batumi during a coordinated operation involving the Counter-Terrorism Centre and the Special Operations Department, the agency said.

Officials said the suspects were already under operational surveillance upon entering Georgia, based on prior intelligence and court authorisations.

The security service alleged that both individuals joined the militant organisation Islamic State, pledged allegiance to its leadership and recorded a video of the oath, which was sent to the group’s representatives.

Authorities said the suspects were preparing to travel from Georgia to another country in order to join the organisation’s fighters.

During searches, investigators reportedly seized electronic devices, unregistered SIM cards, mobile phones, items bearing the organisation’s symbols, masks and other materials considered relevant to the case.

The crime carries a prison sentence of 10 to 17 years.