Ruling party official: Batumi explosives report “attempt to sow alarm” in public
The Service noted its counter-terrorist units and the Ministry of Internal Affairs had implemented precautionary measures in shopping centres and educational institutions across Batumi in response to the notifications, with no explosive devices found as a result. Photo: Georgian Dream Press Office
Tweet 
Share
Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Tbilisi Mayor, on Monday commented on the statement of the State Security Service that said “false reports” originating abroad had been made on potential presence of explosives at several locations in the country's western city of Batumi, by alleging an “attempt to sow alarm among the public”.
It is clear that there is an attempt to sow alarm, to create a mood in the public that something is happening, there is some trouble. Our respective services are at the height of their capabilities. They will protect peace in the country and [the security of] every citizen”, Kaladze said, without elaborating on the identity of perpetrators.
The Service noted its counter-terrorist units and the Ministry of Internal Affairs had implemented precautionary measures in shopping centres and educational institutions across Batumi in response to the notifications, with no explosive devices found as a result.
Those making the false notifications used a mobile phone number of a minor citizen of Georgia, the agency noted, and added a criminal investigation was underway over false reporting of terrorism, with related agencies of partner states informed for necessary cooperation.
The Georgian State Security Service on Monday said the “false reports” on potential presence of explosives at several locations in the country's western city of Batumi, made on Sunday, had been made from abroad.
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.
The current counter-terrorist situation in the world, the wider region and Georgia was discussed on Sunday in a meeting of the Inter-agency Standing Commission for Developing and Monitoring Implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan for Combating Terrorism.
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.