State Security Service: "Georgian Citizen and Leader of Islamic State Group Arrested by in Targeted Operation"
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, April 24, 2023
The State Security Service released information saying that they have detained Georgian citizen Malkhaz Paksashvili, allegedly a "leader of a terrorist organization Islamic State.
Paksashvili was arrested following a court order, as part of a targeted operation conducted by the counter-terrorist center.
The State Security Service of Georgia's statement indicates that the individual who was arrested had a strong association with high-level military leaders within the Islamic State organization. The detainee was also identified as the 'deputy' of one of the groups belonging to the aforementioned terrorist organization.
As per the investigation, the defendant traveled to Syria in 2013 and became a member of the Islamic State terrorist organization. The accused played an active role in the organization's combat operations. However, the State Security Service alleges that the individual had affiliations with senior military commanders within the Islamic State group.
Malkhaz Paksashvili, who was apprehended on suspicion of assisting terrorism, has been sentenced to imprisonment by the Tbilisi City Court as a preventative measure. Prosecutor Maia Silagadze stated to reporters that the accused did not admit to the crime. The prosecutor also mentioned that there is substantial evidence in the case, including protocols of interviews with witnesses, expert reports, and video recordings.
"I cannot talk about the details of the case, but I can confirm that he has been in Georgia for several years. After we obtained evidence that the defendant joined a terrorist organization and participated in various operations, the prosecution petitioned the court to issue a warrant for his arrest," said the prosecutor Maia Silagadze.
The case is classified as top secret, therefore, the April 22 court session was held in closed format.
The detainee was charged under Article 328 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (joining a foreign country's terrorist organization and aiding it in terrorist activities), which provides for imprisonment from 10 to 17 years.
