The Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) publishes a report on Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures.

According to the report, Georgia is not amongst countries with a high risk of terrorist attacks. Georgian territory is not considered to be a favourable transit route for foreign terrorist fighters. The incidence of Georgian nationals fighting in Iraq and Syria has sharply reduced due to action taken by the authorities.

Also, according to the report, Georgia has a sound legal and institutional framework for investigating and prosecuting TF. Cases are dealt with by investigators at the SSS and the supervising prosecutors at the GPO who are adequately resourced and have high levels of expertise. There are no legal or structural impediments to taking forward TF cases.

“The investigators at the SSS and the supervising prosecutors at the GPO have a very good awareness of different types of TF and conduct parallel financial investigations in terrorism cases and cases with a suspected terrorism link” – the report reads.

Georgia has effective systems for identifying TF. Once detected, TF is generally investigated and prosecuted well using a range of investigative techniques.

TF is well integrated into counter-terrorism strategy and investigations, and Georgia makes effective use of alternative measures in cases where TF convictions cannot be secured for justifiable reasons.

Following the 2012 evaluation, Georgia has made substantial amendments to the legal framework with regard to the criminalisation of terrorism and TF, hence there is now a sound legal basis for the investigation and prosecution of these offences.

In addition, Georgia has produced a 2019-2021Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which also makes reference to the suppression of TF. The strategy is a comprehensive and well-developed document. The legal framework and the Counter-Terrorism Strategy are underpinned by a well-established institutional framework for investigation and prosecution. Cases of terrorism and TF are investigated by the investigative unit of the Counter-terrorism Centre of the SSS and are prosecuted by TF specialists within the GPO.

The relevant departments of the GPO and the SSS are adequately resourced to deal with terrorism and TF. Staff are well trained and have impressive levels of knowledge, professionalism and commitment. They have a wide range of legal powers to obtain information and work closely with other authorities, particularly the police, customs and the FMS. They also liaise regularly with international partners. The SSS routinely monitors new global tendencies in TF and treats the identification of threats at an early stage as a priority.

Sanctions applied to the persons convicted of TF are sufficiently effective, proportionate and dissuasive. The cases demonstrate that the authorities have the capacity to take forward TF cases successfully. The Chataev case in particular is an example of Georgia's willingness to prosecute different types of TF activity, including the provision of non-monetary support to terrorists.

“Georgia has made impressive efforts to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism. Georgia's systems for identifying, investigating, prosecuting and sanctioning TF function well. The law enforcement efforts to deter TF activities are broadly in line with Georgia’s risk environment. Convictions have been achieved in line with the country's risk profile” - the report reads.

The Committee of Experts has positively assessed Georgia’s efforts in this direction. Georgia has achieved a substantial level of effectiveness in terms of TF investigation and prosecution.