Ruling party official: Batumi explosives report “attempt to sow alarm” in public

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.