SSSG arrest two Georgian citizens in Gardabani and Kareli for joining a foreign terrorist organisation and aiding terrorist activity

Officers from the Counter-Terrorism Centre of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) have arrested two Georgian citizens under a judicial warrant following special operations conducted in the Gardabani and Kareli municipalities on charges of joining a foreign terrorist organisation and assisting in terrorist activities. The State Security Service of Georgia released this information.

According to the SSSG, the investigation established that the individuals joined the terrorist organisation Islamic State (ISIS), swore an oath of allegiance (known as Bay’ah) to the organisation’s leader, and pledged unconditional obedience to him.

“Following searches of the detainees’ persons and residential premises, items seized as evidence included a handwritten text of the oath of allegiance, the Bay’ah, to the leader of the terrorist organisation Islamic State, a stamp bearing Islamic inscriptions, various types of ammunition, a hand grenade, a detonator cap, and electronic data storage devices.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 328 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to joining a foreign terrorist organisation and assisting in terrorist activity. The crime carries a prison sentence of between 10 and 17 years,” the statement reads.