As a result of counterintelligence operations conducted in an intensive mode over the past several months by the Counterintelligence Department of the State Security Service, one Georgian citizen has been detained on charges of espionage, namely for collecting and transmitting information on the instructions of foreign intelligence officers, the First Deputy Head of the SSS, Lasha Maghradze, stated at a briefing.
According to Lasha Maghradze, based on the collected evidence, including results of various operational and investigative activities, including covert investigative measures, it has been established that a public servant holding a high-ranking position in one of the state agencies, acting against the interests of the country and using his current position, previous official roles, and personal connections within various structures, systematically collected and transmitted information in the interests of a foreign intelligence service.

“The detainee maintained systematically organized, covert contacts with a representative of a foreign intelligence service. Meetings were planned using encrypted two-way communication and were held in various locations under strictly pre-agreed conditions of secrecy. The transfer of information was carried out both during face-to-face meetings and through electronic means.
The information passed to the foreign intelligence service included various categories of classified data related to political and economic processes in Georgia, the situation within law enforcement and security structures, information on ethnic and religious minorities, as well as other data of interest to the service’s clients.
In addition, according to the evidence, on the instructions of the foreign intelligence representative, the detainee was also working on creating information platforms aimed at attracting media professionals and using this network to obtain intelligence information in line with the interests of the foreign intelligence service, including regarding countries in the region.
The accused carried out this activity for financial gain.