MPs commend State Security Service for “thwarting terrorism threats"
Parliament's Trust Group members on Wednesday hosted SSS officials. Photo: Parliament press office
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Georgian MPs from the Trust Group, a domestic defence and security platform in the Parliament, expressed their appreciation on Wednesday for the "highly effective coordination” demonstrated by the country's State Security Service in “thwarting all terrorism threats".
The comments were made at a parliamentary session that involved the Service’s Deputy Head Levan Akhobadze and Counter-Terrorist Centre Director Bacha Mgeladze discussing international terrorism and the agency's counter-terrorism activities throughout the year, the Parliament press office said.
Irakli Beraia, the Chair of the Parliament's Defence and Security Committee and leader of the Trust Group, highlighted the country’s "prominent position" in combating terrorism in comments following the session.
He claimed this was evidenced by indicators such as absence of domestic terrorist incidents, prevention of individuals departing for terrorist purposes, arrests and prosecutions related to terrorism, the existence of "robust legal and institutional frameworks", measures to bolster border security and "high-level" interagency coordination and international cooperation with “strategic partners”.
Beraia also said Trust Group members “thoroughly reviewed” the agency's strategies and priorities in the ongoing work against terrorism, noting the focus was put on "effective coordination" at both interagency and international levels, as well as on safeguarding the country from terrorism and providing a “sense of safety and security” for international partners.
The United States Department of State's 2021 Country Report on Terrorism on Tuesday said Georgia had continued its “robust engagement” on counterterrorism issues throughout that year and remained a “strong” security partner for the United States.
Grigol Liluashvili, the Head of the State Security Service of Georgia, on Friday noted the threat of use of nuclear weapons in the wider region and told MPs "smart" and "pragmatic" policy was key against the danger.
Grigol Liluashvili, the Head of the Georgian State Security Service, on Thursday said the Service's efforts and the implemented measures “have significantly reduced the number of possible supporters of terrorism” in Georgia.
The Georgian State Security Service on Monday claimed it had uncovered a plan by former officials of the previous United National Movement Government who were aiming to cause “civil unrest” and overthrow the country’s Government using a “Euromaidan scenario” this fall.
The Georgian State Security Service on Wednesday said it would summon Beka Vardosanidze, a far-right activist and blogger with pro-Russian sentiments, as part of its ongoing investigation over emails that threatened use of explosives against public venues and events over a recent period.
The Georgian State Security Service on Monday said it had seized several units of special explosive devices and a “significant quantity” of explosive material allegedly originating from the Ukrainian city of Odesa and intended for transportation to Russia.
Irakli Beraia, the Chair of the Defence and Security Committee in the Georgian Parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday responded to an alleged terrorist plot prevented by the country’s State Security Service, which said it had uncovered transportation of explosives from Ukraine to Russia via Georgia, by claiming a mention of a Ukrainian ruling party representative in the scheme was “alarming”.
Robin Dunnigan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday commended the “genuine dedication” of the Georgian Government to its partnership with Washington for combating terrorism.