State Security Service refutes “misinformation” on foreign citizen influx, says security “under full control”

Responding to what the agency has called a “deliberate spread of misinformation” on the backdrop of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, the SSS on Tuesday said there were attempts of “intimidating the public” about alleged existence of “saboteurs and terrorist-related groups” infiltrating the state among a stream of citizens crossing the border. Photo: State Security Serivice.

Agenda.ge, 08 Mar 2022 - 15:56, Tbilisi,Georgia

The State Security Service of Georgia has responded to rumours about “massive and uncontrolled” influx of foreign nationals - Russian and Belarusian citizens in particular - into Georgia over the recent days by rejecting the speculation and announcing state security is “under full control”.

Responding to what the agency has called a “deliberate spread of misinformation” on the backdrop of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, the SSS on Tuesday said there were attempts of “intimidating the public” about alleged existence of “saboteurs and terrorist-related groups” infiltrating the state among a stream of citizens crossing the border. 

Citizens of the Russian Federation, Belarus and other foreign countries entering the country have no tendency to carry out activities that pose a risk to the country's security,” the statement from the SSS says.

The security environment in the country “is under full control”, the state agency said, adding it was actively taking “all necessary measures” together with relevant agencies to minimise possible risks and challenges related to the movement across the border.

The security body also noted the number of people entering the country over the recent days did not exceed visitors trends of the same period from the previous years.