Georgian State Security Service arrests citizen accused of spying for two foreign nations

The State Security Service of Georgia detained a Georgian citizen on Saturday on espionage charges. The individual is accused of cooperating with the intelligence services of two foreign states and transmitting classified information in exchange for financial remuneration.

Lasha Maghradze, the First Deputy Head of the Service, stated that the detainee is accused of maintaining organized, clandestine contacts with foreign intelligence agents both inside and outside Georgia.

“An investigation revealed that the founder and head of a non-governmental organization had systematically gathered and transmitted intelligence to foreign special services for years, receiving material benefits and acting in the interests of those foreign states”, Maghradze said.

“The detainee maintained highly organized, regular, and clandestine contact with foreign intelligence representatives. Information was shared both through in-person meetings and encrypted electronic communications. Additionally, meetings were periodically held abroad to maintain operational secrecy and conduct briefings”, he continued.

Maghradze further noted that, acting under instructions and with funding from these services, the detainee established information platforms and organized events across the country to advance their objectives.

“Funded and directed by foreign intelligence services, the accused allegedly created information platforms and organized events nationwide to facilitate these espionage activities. Notably, the individual was simultaneously cooperating with the special services of two different foreign states, conducting parallel intelligence operations”, he noted.