Georgia ‘Steps Up Security’ After Brussels Attacks

The Georgian authorities said security measures have been tightened in the country following attacks on Brussels airport and metro that killed at least 30 people on March 22.

The Interior Ministry said that it was stepping up security measures at airports and borders, and the State Security Service reported about taking additional security measures at the “strategic facilities.”

“Preventive measures are being carried out taking into account risk factors,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement without elaborating details, adding that officers from relevant police units have been “given relevant instructions.”

The Interior Ministry, which is in charge of border control, also said that its patrol police will “apply higher level of security measures to provide public safety.”

The Georgian leadership has condemned Brussels attacks.

President Giorgi Margvelashvili said in a written statement that he was “deeply shocked” over the terrorist attacks in Brussels.

“On behalf of the Georgian people, I express solidarity to the Belgian authorities and society. We, the leaders of all countries must stick together and unify to eliminate current threats and join our efforts to ensure a peaceful future for our states and humanity,” he said.

PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili said in a written statement: “This is a brutal crime that has to be resisted by the whole world and responded to in the proper manner. In this war Georgia supports the international community. I would like to convey my condolences to the Government and people of Belgium. I wish them strength and endurance in this moment of hardship.”

A group of Georgian lawmakers are currently in Brussels, who were planning to participate in a session of the EURONEST parliamentary assembly. But it was announced after the attacks in Brussels that “all missions, meetings and visits scheduled for this afternoon and tomorrow [in the European Parliament] have been cancelled.”

A journalist of the Georgian public broadcaster, Ketevan Kardava, was in Zaventem airport when the twin blasts hit the airport. Kardava, who is unharmed, wrote on her Facebook after the explosions: “It was a disaster. Complete panic in the airport.”

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)