About Civil.ge
Eng | Geo | Rus
Last updated: 10:55 - 1 May.'18
RSS
Mobile
Twitter
Facebook
Security Service Detains Five, Claims Chatayev Group Plotted Terrorist Attacks
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 26 Dec.'17 / 14:42


Nino Giorgobiani, spokesperson of the State Security Service, December 26, 2017. Photo: ssg.gov.ge

The Counter-terrorism Department detained five citizens of Georgia in a double operation in Tbilisi and Pankisi gorge of Akhmeta District, the State Security Service spokesperson, Nino Giorgobiani, said at her press briefing today.

According to the Security Service, Zurab Gornakashvili, Ruslan Aldamov, Ramaz Margoshvili, Badur Chophanashvili, and Temirlan Machalikashvili were arrested on charges of assisting the group of militants, who fought against the Georgian security forces on November 21-22 in Tbilisi. 

The SSS representative added that one of the suspects - Temirlan Machalikashvili - was shot in the head and hospitalized following his failed attempt to activate a hand grenade against the counter-terrorism officers.

According to the State Security Service, the group members facilitated the transportation of Akhmed Chatayev, a senior ISIS member who was killed in the November 21-22 operation, and his accomplices in Turkey and assisted them in “illegally crossing” the Georgia-Turkey border in the Kirnati-Maradidi section in Adjara region. 

The detainees facilitated the group members’ transportation to Tbilisi and helped them in renting an apartment and in obtaining the arms, the SSS also reported. The weapons cache, Giorgobiani noted, was discovered through examination of mobile phone data, and the arms were seized “in a joint operation with [our] American colleagues.” 

The spokesperson also informed that the State Security Service verified the identity of the single detained member of Chatayev’s group, and identified him as Shoaip Borziev (previously, the suspect was named by different initials - S.D.), a 23-year-old Russian citizen of Chechen origin as reported by Interpol’s wanted persons list. 

Two other deceased members of Ahmed Chatayev’s group were identified as Ibragim Adashev and Aslambek Soltakhmadov. The former, Giorgobiani explained, visited Georgia in 2010-2012 “with various fake passports.”

Giorgobiani spoke on the group’s intentions as well, saying the examination of audio recordings from Ahmed Chatayev’s computer and other electronic devices, exposed that Chatayev and his accomplices planned to carry out terrorist attacks against diplomatic missions in Georgia and Turkey. 

The planning process, the SSS representative noted, was intercepted as a result of the November 21-22 operation.

Giorgobiani added that investigation against the five detained suspects was launched under Part 3 of Article 3311 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, involving funding and assisting terrorist activities, which is punishable by imprisonment for any term of not more than 20 years or less than 17 years, or by life imprisonment.

Investigation for identifying other individuals who might be linked to the criminal group continues, the spokesperson also noted.

Latest News
01 May.'18 10:55
We Have Moved to a New Platform
Direct Your Bookmarks to https://civil.ge.
29 Apr.'18 03:54
Ruling Party Candidate Wins MP By-Elections
Givi Chichinadze will represent Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency in the Parliament of Georgia.
28 Apr.'18 09:40
Polls Open for Vani and Khoni MP By-Elections
48,123 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency.
27 Apr.'18 17:23
State Dept’s Europe Affairs Point Man to Visit Tbilisi
Wess Mitchell will meet senior government officials and address the NATO-Georgia Public Diplomacy Forum.
27 Apr.'18 13:45
In Quotes: Georgian Politicians on Ex-PM Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Comeback
Bidzina Ivanishvili will be approved as the Georgian Dream party chairman at the upcoming convention.
26 Apr.'18 18:15
SG Jens Stoltenberg: Georgia NATO’s ‘Very Close’ Partner
The NATO Secretary General says Foreign Ministers meeting tomorrow will recognize the country’s progress.
26 Apr.'18 14:24
Ex-PM Ivanishvili to Chair Georgian Dream Party
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Ivanishvili was ‘best equipped’ to add new dynamism to the party.
26 Apr.'18 11:12
Lawmaker Proposes Criminal Liability for ‘Insult of Religious Feelings’
The parliamentary human rights committee decided to set up a working group for scrutinizing the draft law.
25 Apr.'18 17:21
New Abkhaz Government Head Appointed
Gennady Gagulia has served as the Abkhaz “prime minister” twice - in 1995-1997, and 2002-2003.
25 Apr.'18 14:43
Watchdog Improves Georgia’s Press Freedom Ranking
None of the countries of the former Soviet Union (except the Baltics) are ranked ahead of Georgia.

About Civil Georgia
Civil.Ge © 2001-2024, Daily News Online
Registered office: 2 Dolidze Str, 4-th Floor.
14