Georgian State Security Service Highlights Russian Occupation and Internal, External Threats in 2024 Report
TBILISI, Georgia – The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) released its 2024 annual report, painting a picture of a nation grappling with both external pressures and internal vulnerabilities. The report emphasizes the ongoing Russian occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as the primary security threat, while also detailing alleged attempts to destabilize the country from within and without, including a purported coup plot and plans to “liquidate” members of the ruling party. The SSSG further claims disinformation campaigns originating from unnamed "certain Western countries" played a role in exacerbating the security situation.
The SSSG report alleges that foreign intelligence services, in conjunction with internal and external actors, employed hybrid warfare tactics to meddle in Georgia’s political and economic landscape. These tactics allegedly included disinformation campaigns, propaganda, and attempts to incite violent unrest aimed at overthrowing the government. The report claims these actors sought to exploit the country’s political climate, including leveraging public sentiment surrounding the Foreign Agents’ law, to sow discord and destabilize the government.
The report’s narrative centers on the allegation that several groups, allegedly financed by unnamed foreign entities and supported by certain political figures both within and outside of parliament, plotted to instigate civil unrest and destabilize the country. These efforts allegedly involved Georgian citizens residing abroad, some with alleged ties to the conflict in Ukraine, expressing willingness to return to Georgia and participate in violent actions against law enforcement. The report also alleges plots existed to "liquidate" members of the ruling party and to provoke clashes with police to escalate the situation.
The SSSG claims that the alleged destabilization efforts targeted the December 2024 presidential election, aiming to disrupt the democratic process. The report further alleges that these groups employed tactics similar to those used in “color revolutions” to provoke law enforcement and undermine public trust in the police. Furthermore, the report points fingers at unnamed foreign special services, accusing them of attempting to manipulate Georgia’s domestic and foreign policy processes.
Beyond alleged coup plots, the SSSG report emphasizes the enduring threat of the Russian occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. It details ongoing “hybrid warfare” tactics employed by Russia, including military exercises, illegal detentions, and the continued “borderization” process, which further restricts freedom of movement for residents in the affected regions. The report highlights Russia’s efforts to strengthen its control over these regions, including through economic measures like granting preferential treatment to Russian businesses and fostering economic dependence through subsidies. The report also accuses Russia of actively pursuing the "Russification" and annexation of these territories through various measures, including educational programs promoting the Russian language and culture, and fostering an anti-Georgian sentiment among the local population.
The report also underscores the humanitarian and security challenges faced by Georgian citizens in the occupied territories, highlighting illegal detentions and the inability to fully investigate the deaths of Georgian citizens attributed to occupation forces. The report also expresses concern over Russia’s continued economic expansion in the occupied Tskhinvali region, including the issuance of operational licenses to Russian banks and investment in oil exploration. The SSSG alleges a systematic discrimination against ethnic Georgians within the occupied regions, a situation compounded by the restricted access for international human rights organizations.
Furthermore, the SSSG identifies disinformation and propaganda as key elements of the hybrid warfare waged against Georgia. The report claims that these campaigns are orchestrated by individuals and groups linked to foreign intelligence services, as well as by representatives of international and regional institutions, aiming to damage Georgia’s relationships with its allies, hinder its integration into European structures, and erode public trust in state institutions. The SSSG specifically calls out “certain Western countries and institutions,” claiming their disinformation campaigns have inadvertently aided anti-Western propaganda efforts. The report also alleges that certain media outlets and journalists, allegedly funded by foreign entities, have actively engaged in promoting foreign interests and criticizing the Georgian state.
Finally, the report touches on other security concerns, including cyberattacks, the potential misuse of artificial intelligence, and the ongoing fight against terrorism. While noting the absence of terrorist acts within Georgia in 2024, the SSSG underscores the continued risk posed by the potential return of Georgian fighters from Syria and Iraq and the possibility of the country being used as a transit point for terrorist organizations. The report also highlights the SSSG’s anti-corruption efforts, citing numerous criminal cases opened and charges brought against individuals for bribery and abuse of office.
