State Security Service Deputy Head notes hybrid threads, disinformation in report to Parliament

Hybrid threats and disinformation against Georgia’s Western integration and “additional challenges” created for the country by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were noted by Aleksi Batiashvili, the Deputy Head of the State Security Service of Georgia, in his report on the work of the agency to the Parliament on Friday.

Delivered at a joint sitting of the Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Defence Committees, the report offered an overview of the Service’s work throughout last year, and noted its ongoing priorities.

Batiashvili told MPs the Russian invasion of Ukraine had “significantly damaged” the security environment in the South Caucasus region and created “additional challenges” for Georgia's sovereignty and national security.

The Deputy Head said the body was “continuously monitoring” the situation on the territory of Georgia following the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine.

He also called disinformation campaigns against the country, conducted by “individual countries and their special services”, a “significant challenge” to the state security.

The report also identified the main challenges to the policy towards the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and Abkhazia regions of Georgia, with regards to activities of foreign intelligence services on the territories.