Authorities detain second figure in ongoing espionage probe in Georgia

A second suspect has been detained by Georgia’s State Security Service on charges of espionage, identified as journalist Irakli Chikhladze, according to NewsGeorgia citing members of his family.

Chikhladze is the editor-in-chief and author of the analytical platform Newcaucasus, which has operated since 2007 and focuses on political developments in the South Caucasus. According to the outlet’s website, the publication has at various times cooperated with Western organizations and foundations, including USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

He is also the brother of journalist Giga Chikhladze, who was killed in August 2008 in the Tskhinvali region during the Russia–Georgia war.

Earlier, Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG) announced the detention of a Georgian citizen on espionage charges in favor of a foreign intelligence service, without disclosing the name.

Investigators allege that the detainee used personal contacts within journalistic, expert, and other professional circles to systematically collect information of interest to foreign intelligence. The SSG claims he maintained covert communication with an intelligence officer, exchanging data both during in-person meetings and via encrypted electronic channels.

Authorities say the information transmitted concerned political and economic developments in Georgia and neighboring countries, as well as the situation within security and law enforcement agencies. The suspect is also alleged to have used an online platform as a cover to coordinate a network of informants, collect intelligence, and transfer it to a foreign side.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 314 of Georgia’s Criminal Code (“Espionage”), which carries a prison sentence of 8 to 12 years.

Earlier, Georgian authorities detained Gulbaat Rtskhiladze, head of the Eurasian Institute, on similar espionage charges.

By Jeyhun Aghazada