Georgian law enforcement arrests FBI-wanted suspect accused of supporting terrorist organizations

Georgia’s Central Criminal Police Department and the Prosecutor General’s Office, acting in close bilateral coordination with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under a joint declaration signed with representatives of the U.S. Department of State, have arrested a U.S. and Uzbek citizen wanted internationally by U.S. law enforcement authorities.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the man was wanted on charges of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, providing material support, and attempting to provide such support.

Officers of the Search Division of the Main Division for Combating Organized Crime of the Central Criminal Police Department arrested the suspect at Tbilisi International Airport after he arrived in Georgia from another country.

According to U.S. law enforcement authorities, the wanted individual formed a group in the United States to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization. He also established and led a financial support network for the same purpose.

The leader and members of the group provided active material, logistical and financial support to terrorist organizations in Syria, including the Islamic State.

The suspect also encouraged various individuals to travel to Syria to fight and offered them assistance in doing so.

Extradition proceedings initiated under applicable law are currently underway against the detainee.

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs said it has successfully cooperated with U.S. law enforcement agencies for many years in combating various categories of crime.