The State Security Service (SBS) of Georgia reported on the successful blockade of the transit of C-4 explosive material from Ukraine to Russia. According to the statement of the representative of the Security Service, this explosive with a total weight of 14 kilograms was hidden under the guise of electric car batteries. It was planned that the cargo would be delivered from Odesa via Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey to Russia.
The cargo was intercepted on the Turkish-Georgian border through the Sarpi checkpoint on January 19. Three explosive devices were seized at the border between Russia and Georgia, but three more remained in Tbilisi at a specific address. According to the SDB, the organizers of the process are considered to be citizens of Georgia, Ukraine and Armenia.
One of the key figures in this case is Ukrainian citizen Andriy Sharashidze, who in 2020 ran for the Odesa City Council from the Servant of the People party. According to the investigation, citizens of Georgia and Armenia were also involved in the process.
The Security Service does not rule out that the explosives could have been intended for use on the territory of Georgia itself. Law enforcement agencies are currently considering the case under the article on the illegal acquisition, storage, carrying, manufacturing, transportation, forwarding or sale of explosive substances, and may also add to this the article on the preparation of a terrorist attack.
Currently, Ukrainian diplomats and law enforcement officers, as well as Andrii Sharashidze himself, a participant in this case, do not verbally comment on the events. The situation remains under the control of law enforcement agencies, and the investigation is ongoing.
