US Department of State Report on Terrorism: Georgia continued “its robust” counterterrorism efforts in 2023, remained “strong” US security partner

The United States Department of State last week published the 2023 Country Reports on Terrorism, which provided a detailed look at how the counterterrorism environment and associated threats had evolved over the past year.

The document noted that Georgia continued its robust counterterrorism efforts in 2023 and remained a strong US security partner.

“The terrorism situation in Georgia remained quiet and stable. In 2023, Georgia arrested nine Georgian citizens and three foreign nationals for their affiliation with ISIS. The country bolstered its land border and maritime security by developing new systems and participating in international exercises and US-conducted trainings. The country also adopted its four-year strategy on money laundering, terrorism financing, and WMD proliferation”, the report said.

“Georgia is generally capable of detecting, deterring, and responding to terrorism incidents. The State Security Service of Georgia [SSSG] has the mandate to handle terrorism-related incidents and investigations and works closely through its Counterterrorism Center with the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Justice, and Defense and the Prosecution Service of Georgia, among others, as well as with international partners. SSSG is generally well equipped and well trained, and its Counterterrorism Unit continues to receive regular training and equipment from international partners and conducts internal training. In November the European Commission’s enlargement report noted that Georgia’s antiterrorism legislation is largely aligned with the European Union acquis and relevant international law, including UN Security Council resolutions”, the document noted.

The document emphasised that because Russia was occuying Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia couldn’t control part of its border with Russia and must enforce security along the occupied territories.

“In 2023, Georgia enhanced border security by finalizing its 2023-27 strategy, launching a face recognition program, and joining the UN's Countering Terrorist Travel program. With the United States. and EU support, it improved surveillance and detection, equipping the border with 24/7 video monitoring. Georgia also participated in NATO's "Sea Guardian" operation”, the document continued.

“No Georgian nationals were identified as traveling to Syria or Iraq in 2023 for terrorist activities. There are approximately 30 displaced and 10 detained Georgian nationals in northeast Syria. To date, Georgia has not repatriated any detained or displaced nationals from Syria or Iraq. In April, SSSG detained one citizen on charges of joining ISIS and assisting terrorist activities. In May, July, and November, the service conducted special operations to detain a total of eight citizens and three foreign nationals on charges of joining ISIS, assisting terrorist activities, and possessing explosive substances and ammunition”, the Department of State said.

The document also addressed that Georgia, a member of the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism [MONEYVAL] and the Egmont Group, adopted its 2023-26 National Strategy to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and WMD proliferation and itt also amended its AML/Countering the Financing of Terrorism law to strengthen financial sanctions.

“In 2023, Georgia continued its efforts on countering violent extremism [CVE], focusing on minority integration, education, media access, youth, and cultural diversity. Georgia is actively involved in international and regional counterterrorism cooperation, participating in UN, EU, United States, and NATO training and conferences. The country is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and participates in key working group meetings. In December, the EU granted Georgia candidate status”, the document concluded.