Five people detained linked to group neutralized during Tbilisi special operation
Five people detained linked to group neutralized during Tbilisi special operation

Officers of Counterintelligence Department operating under State Security Service of Georgia detained 5 citizens of Georgia linked to the group members neutralized during the special operation carried out at Monk Gabriel Salosi Street in Tbilisi on November 22. The persons were detained in Tbilisi and Duisi and Omalo villages of Pankisi Gorge, Akhmeta region of Kakheti this morning.

According to State Security Service, Zurab Gornakashvili, Ruslan Aldamov, Ramaz Margoshvili, Badur Chophanashvili and Temirlan Machalikashvili are linked to the group members neutralized in the course of 21-22 November special operation in Tbilisi.

In the moment of detention Temirlan Machalikashvili showed resistance to law enforcers, namely,  Machalikashvili tried to activate a hand grenade, when proportional force was employed due to extreme need in order to suppress criminal activity and law enforcers opened fire in his direction as a result of which Machalikashvili received firearm injuries in the head. Machalikashvili is transferred to the hospital.

Investigation determined that the mentioned individuals facilitated transportation of Akhmed Chataev and his accomplices at first on the territory of Turkey from their temporary housing address to green border of Georgia Kirnati-maradidi section and assisted them in illegal crossing of the border via this section. The detainees facilitated the group members in terms of transportation to Tbilisi, assisted them in renting the flat and obtaining the arms.

As a result of examination of data retrieved from the mobile phones of the detained and killed individuals, concrete caches have been discovered. As a result of joint activities carried out alongside American colleagues, automatic weapon cartridges, bullets, back-packs, maps, binoculars, radio sets and various evidences have been seized.

The individual detained in the course of the special operation has been revealed with participation of international partners. He is a citizen of Russia Shoaif Borziev, who is wanted by Interpol on terrorism charges. Identities of individuals killed in the course of special operation are also established: citizen of Russia Ibragim Adashev, who travelled to Georgia in 2010-2012 with various fake passports and Aslanbeg Soltakhmadov.

As a result of investigative activities, audio recordings have been retrieved from electronics which belonged to Akhmet Chataev found in the flat located at Monk Gabriel Salosi Street. According to the records, Akhmet Chataev and his accomplices planned to carry out terrorist attacks in Georgia and Turkey. Their aimed at attacking diplomatic missions.

As a result of operative-investigative activities carried out by Counterterrorism Department under the State Security Service of Georgia and special operation conducted on 21-22 November, those terrorist attacks have been suppressed during the planning process.

Investigative activities continue in order to reveal other individuals linked with the criminal group. Investigation is carried out under Article 331(1), part III – Financing, Providing other Material Support and Resources to Terrorist Activities which caused grave results. The article envisages from 17 to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.