Newly appointed State Security Service Head addresses challenges facing national security

Anri Okhanashvili, the newly appointed Head of the State Security Service, on Friday addressed the Parliament's Defence and Security Committee, emphasising the challenges facing national security.

In his remarks, Okhanashvili noted that Georgia was facing threats from various forces seeking to destabilise the political situation and create conditions for the violent overthrow of the Government.

Okhanashvili stressed that the State Security Service had successfully neutralised actions inspired by foreign intelligence agencies that could have harmed Georgia’s national interests.

“Georgia's state security challenges include efforts by various forces to escalate the political situation and mobilise resources to prepare the ground for a violent change of Government”, Okhanashvili said.

He further highlighted attempts by individuals linked to foreign intelligence services to establish ties with Georgian media outlets and specific groups for potential use in their activities.

“Through the work of the State Security Service, in coordination with other agencies, we have successfully neutralised activities orchestrated by foreign intelligence services that posed a risk to Georgia’s national interests. I extend my gratitude to the leadership and employees of the Service for their dedication to national security. The State Security Service will continue its active efforts to detect, prevent, and counteract these threats at an early stage”, he concluded.