According to the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG), on March 22 this year, at approximately 2:30 p.m., two anonymous calls were made to the Security Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs concerning terrorist acts. The agency reports that the callers claimed to be near the Holy Trinity Cathedral, armed with firearms, and having mined the cathedral’s territory.

“The callers asserted that, unless an evacuation took place within the next 20 minutes, an explosion would occur. To conceal their identity and evade detection, the perpetrator altered their voice using specialised software, employed a virtual telephone number from a foreign country, and masked their IP address,” the statement read.

Through comprehensive operational, search, and investigative efforts, authorities identified the minor responsible for the crime yesterday evening and conducted investigative actions with him. The law enforcement seized several mobile phones, laptops, and other evidence vital to the case. The minor has confessed to the offence.

The minor is charged with making a false report concerning terrorism under Article 331 of the Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of three to six years.

“Our service and counterterrorism centre is equipped with modern technical means to detect and identify such criminal acts. We warn that we will pursue strict legal action against all such cases,” the State Security Service emphasised.