Tbilisi City Court Finds Tsiskara Tokhosashvili Guilty of Joining ISIS and Assisting in Terrorist Activities
According to the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office, on August 15, 2023, the Tbilisi City Court found Tsiskara Tokhosashvili guilty of joining a foreign terrorist organization and assisting in terrorist activities, on the basis of evidence presented by the Prosecutor’s Office. Tokhosashvili was charged under Article 328 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (joining a foreign terrorist organization and supporting terrorist activities). The evidence examined during the trial “proved that the accused joined the terrorist organization ISIS and took an active part in the armed actions carried out by “Islamic State” on the territory of Syria.” The court found the defendant guilty and “sentenced him to 12 years of imprisonment”.
Tokhosashvili, a citizen of Georgia, was arrested at the Tbilisi International Airport by the State Security Service on December 7, 2022. The State Security Service noted that Tokhosashvili, also known as “Emir Isa”, left Georgia for the Middle East in 2015 and joined the Islamic State. SSSG also said that Tokhosashvili was considered “quite an influential figure” among the members of the Islamic State and had close links with other influential leaders.
Georgia Condemns Terrorism and Calls for International Cooperation
The Georgian government has strongly condemned terrorism and expressed its solidarity with the international community in fighting against this global threat. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on August 15, 2023, saying that “Georgia remains committed to its obligations under the UN Security Council resolutions and other international instruments on combating terrorism and preventing violent extremism”.
The statement also said that “Georgia supports the efforts of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and actively participates in its activities”. Georgia has been a member of the coalition since 2014 and has contributed to its military, humanitarian, and stabilization operations. Georgia has also been providing training and assistance to the Iraqi security forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for “enhanced international cooperation and coordination” to prevent and counter terrorism and radicalization, especially in light of the recent developments in Afghanistan. The statement urged “all parties to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, ensure security and stability, and prevent any further escalation of violence”.
Georgian Citizens Detained for Links to Terrorist Organizations
Tokhosashvili is not the only Georgian citizen who has been accused of having ties to terrorist organizations. In July 2023, two Georgian citizens were detained by Turkish authorities for allegedly being members of ISIS. The suspects were identified as Davit Borchashvili and Zurab Idoidze, who had reportedly traveled to Turkey from Syria. They were detained at a hotel in Istanbul’s Fatih district, where they were planning to obtain fake passports and travel to Europe.
In May 2023, six Georgian citizens were detained by the State Security Service on terrorism charges. The suspects were allegedly involved in recruiting and sending people to join ISIS in Syria and Iraq. They were also accused of disseminating extremist propaganda and inciting religious hatred. The State Security Service said that the suspects had been under surveillance for several months and that they had seized weapons, ammunition, explosive materials, and electronic devices from their residences.
According to the State Security Service, there are about 50 Georgian citizens who have joined ISIS or other terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. Some of them have been killed or captured, while others have returned to Georgia or fled to third countries. The State Security Service said that it is working closely with its foreign partners to identify and prosecute those who are involved in terrorism-related activities.
