State Security Service: Threat of terrorism remains low in Georgia

The head of Georgia’s State Security Service Vakhtang Gomelauri stated in parliament today that the threat of terrorism remains low in Georgia.

Gomelauri told  lawmakers that in 2017 the State Security Service managed to prevent terrorist acts, referring to the November 22-23 and December 26 large-scale anti-terrorism raids in Georgia, which saw the death of the Islamic State terrorist Achmed Chatayev and his accomplices and the arrest of several individuals on terrorism related charges. 

There were attempts to finance terrorism in Georgia last year, as well as to support terrorism ideas and radicalise  some Georgian citizens. The Security Service acted in line with law to prevent terrorism attacks, neutralise threats and reveal suspects,” Gomelauri said.

He stated that his body also uncovered the individuals, who were tasked by "foreign countries’ intelligence services” to encourage anti-western propaganda in Georgia, tried to damage Georgia’s image as a reliable foreign partner.

Gomelauri stated that one of the key challenges for the State Security Service is the current situation in the country’s occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions.

Russia is carrying out the gradual annexation of Georgian regions,” Gomelauri said.

He stated that Archil Tatunashvili’s death once again confirmed the "very grave security situation” in the breakaway regions.