5 citizens detained by State Security Service in 2021 for membership in terrorist organisations

Five citizens of Georgia were arrested in 2021 for membership in terrorist organisations, the State Security Service said in its annual report that was released on Monday. 

The Service said the arrested individuals had attempted to travel to the Middle East and join ranks of a terrorist organisation, with the intentions prevented in a “timely response” of the state agency.

The information was included in a section of the 2021 report - submitted to the Georgian Parliament on Monday - that dealt with the question of recruitment attempts on the territory of Georgia by terrorist organisations.

The Service said propaganda efforts of the organisations were being “constantly monitored” by state agencies in cyberspace, with the process leading to expulsion of dozens of foreign citizens from the territory of the country.

It also noted “favourable environment” for terrorist recruitment in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions of Georgia, due to the lack of the central Government’s control in the areas.