Officers of the Counter-Terrorism Centre and Special Operations Department, through a raid conducted last night within an ongoing investigation, detained three Georgian citizens in Omalo, Birkiani and Jokolo villages of Pankisi Gorge, for assisting a terrorist organisation and its activities, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) announced at the briefing.

According to the SSSG, the detained individuals joined the Islamic State terrorist organization and were receiving instructions to carry out terrorist activities.

It was said during the meeting that the State Security Service of Georgia continues to fight against international terrorism to protect the security of the country and its citizens.

“The detained individuals intended to establish the so-called Jamaat movement in Pankisi Gorge and attempted to involve other individuals, for which they organized conspiracy meetings at different locations and propagated terrorist ideology.

Within the ongoing investigation and at the judge’s ruling, covert legal and operative-investigation measures were conducted. Several guns, explosive devices, ammunition, cell phones, computer equipment and electronic devices, as well as the flag of the terrorist organization Islamic State, items depicting their symbolism, and personal documents, were seized.

Further investigation is in progress under Articles 328 and 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. The detained individuals face 10-17 years of imprisonment. The investigation continues to reveal other accomplices of the crime and launch criminal proceedings against them,” the SSSG said.