IS leader killed in Georgia during special operation

© Impact Press Group / SIPA / Scanpix / LETA

IS leader Ahmed Chatayev was killed during a special operation which was carried out in Tbilisi on 22 November. His identity was confirmed at a briefing by Nino Giorgiobiani, the Head of the Public Relations Office of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG).

Ahmed Chatayev was the leader of a subdivision of the Islamic State and was accused of organizing a terrorist attack at Istanbul airport in 2015.

“The results of the special operation carried out on Monk Gabriel Salosi Street are as follows: an examination which included performing DNA and fingerprint analysis was conducted with the help of American colleagues. The results confirmed that Ahmed Chataev was among those killed,” Giorgiobani stated.

According to her, how these individuals entered Georgia is now being investigated.

“The members of this criminal group did not have any identification documents. Our international partners are currently involved in the process of identifying them. This investigation will reveal how this group found itself in Georgia as well as any possible links they may have with other potential offenders,” she said.

Law enforcement officers killed three people associated with a terrorist group during the 22 November anti-terrorist operation on Monk Gabriel Salosi Street in Tbilisi.  One member of the group was arrested prior to the operation.