Georgian citizen arrested for false terrorism alert

The Georgian State Security Service arrested a citizen for making a false report of explosives at a large shopping centre in Batumi last month. 

According to the state body, its counter-terrorist units had carried out efforts at the mall on May 6 and confirmed absence of explosives at the location.

The report came as part of “dozens” of other false calls about explosives in public gathering places, shopping centres, educational institutions and international airports across the country at various times.

The Security Service addec it had identified “specific countries, emails and IP addresses” linked with reports about possible terrorist attacks in Georgia.

The investigation had determined that a “large part” of the reports had been sent from abroad.  

The Georgian State Security Service said it was working to identify individuals and groups behind the calls, with the charge involving imprisonment from 3 to 6 years.