Georgia’s State Security Service detains minor over false terrorist threat at Holy Trinity Cathedral

Georgia’s State Security Service has detained a minor accused of making a false terrorist threat targeting the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.

According to the Service, on March 22 at approximately 14:30, two anonymous calls were made to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Security Police Department. The caller claimed to be near the Holy Trinity Cathedral, armed with a firearm and having planted explosives on the cathedral’s territory. The individual warned that if an evacuation was not carried out within 20 minutes, an explosion would occur.

Investigators say the caller attempted to conceal their identity by using specialised software to alter their voice, a foreign virtual phone number, and masking their IP address.

Following investigative measures conducted over a short period, authorities identified the suspect later that same evening. Law enforcement officers carried out investigative procedures involving the minor and seized several mobile phones, laptops, and other evidence relevant to the case.

The detained minor has confessed to the crime.

The suspect will be charged under Article 331 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which concerns false reporting of terrorism and carries a penalty of three to six years of imprisonment.

The State Security Service stated that it possesses the necessary technical capabilities to detect and identify such criminal activities. Authorities also warned that any similar incidents will be met with strict legal consequences.