Three Georgian citizens have been detained in Pankisi Gorge within the framework of an ongoing investigation into joining a foreign terrorist organization and assisting terrorist activities, the First Deputy Head of the State Security Service, Lasha Maghradze, said at a briefing.

According to him, the investigation established that the detained individuals had joined the ranks of the terrorist organization “Islamic State” and were receiving instructions from abroad to carry out terrorist activities.

Maghradze noted that the detainees were attempting to form a so-called “jamaat” supporting the terrorist organization in Pankisi Gorge and to involve other individuals in terrorist activities. For this purpose, they held secret, conspiratorial meetings at various locations and engaged in the dissemination of terrorist ideology.

The agency states that the crime carries a penalty of 10 to 17 years of imprisonment.

“The State Security Service of Georgia, in order to protect the security of our country and every citizen, continues its fight against international terrorism.

As a result of a large-scale operation carried out last night by the Counter-Terrorism Center and the Special Operations Department in the villages of Pankisi Gorge - Omalo, Birkiani, and Jokolo - three Georgian citizens were detained within the framework of an investigation into joining a foreign terrorist organization and assisting terrorist activities.

The investigation established that the detainees had joined the ranks of the terrorist organization ‘Islamic State’ and were receiving certain instructions from abroad for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities.

They attempted to form a so-called ‘jamaat’ supporting the terrorist organization in Pankisi Gorge and to involve other individuals in terrorist activities. For this purpose, they held secret, conspiratorial meetings at various locations and engaged in the propagation of terrorist ideology.

Within the ongoing investigation, on the basis of court orders, covert investigative actions were conducted in relation to the detainees and other connected individuals, along with corresponding legal and operational-search measures.

As a result of investigative actions, several firearms, explosive materials, ammunition, mobile phones, computer equipment and other electronic storage devices were seized, as well as a flag of the terrorist organization ‘Islamic State,’ items depicting their symbols, and personal documents.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 328 and 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for imprisonment of 10 to 17 years.

The investigation continues to identify other individuals involved in the crime and bring them to criminal responsibility,” Maghradze stated.