On the State Security Service of Georgia

Law of Georgia

On the State Security Service of Georgia

Article 1. Scope of regulation of the Law This Law determines the main guiding principles of the activity of the State Security Service of Georgia, its functions and powers, the procedure for serving in the Service by a public servant of the State Security Service of Georgia, including a person holding a special state rank (hereinafter – servant), the guarantees of his/her legal and social protection, the forms of control and supervision of the activity of the State Security Service of Georgia, and other issues.🔗

Law of Georgia of 21 September 2023 No. 3508 – website, 12.10.2023.

Article 2. State Security Service of Georgia🔗

1. The State Security Service of Georgia (hereinafter – the Service) is a special-purpose state institution under the direct subordination of the Government of Georgia, which, within the scope of its competence, ensures state security.

2. The Service consists of the system of structural subdivisions of the Service, as well as, if existing, the territorial body (territorial bodies) of the Service, the state sub-agency institution (state sub-agency institutions) within the sphere of governance of the Service and the Legal Entity of Public Law (Legal Entities of Public Law) within the sphere of governance of the Service.

3. The statute of the Service shall be approved by the Government of Georgia.

3¹. The Service (including a structural subdivision of the Service, a state sub-agency institution within the sphere of governance of the Service and a Legal Entity of Public Law) may have its own symbol of state significance (emblem, flag, coat of arms, logo, departmental medallion, medal, badge, stamp, blank form and others). Servants may have uniforms. The samples and rules of use of the servants' uniforms shall be approved by the Head of the Service.

3². The samples and rules of use of the symbol of state significance of the Service (emblem, flag, coat of arms, logo, departmental medallion, medal, badge, stamp, blank form and others) shall be approved by the Head of the Service in accordance with the procedure established by the Law of Georgia "On Symbols of State Significance".

4. The Service and its officials are entitled to use the state coat of arms of Georgia in full form on legal acts, blank forms, seals and stamps of the Service.

5. In exercising the powers defined by this Law, the Service has the right to create, receive and store any document (including archival material) in the form of a material and/or electronic document, as well as to use the electronic document circulation system and unified automated management tools.

6. The Service has the right, in exercising the powers conferred by this Law, to execute a personal signature on a material document processed by it by using a facsimile. A signature executed by using a facsimile has equal legal force to a personal signature.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 – website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 21 April 2017 No. 642 – website, 10.05.2017.

Law of Georgia of 22 February 2019 No. 4327 – website, 07.03.2019.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 3. Legal bases of the Service's activity The legal bases of the Service's activity are: the Constitution of Georgia, international treaties of Georgia, this Law, other laws of Georgia, legal acts of the Parliament of Georgia, the Government of Georgia, the Head of the Service and other normative acts.🔗

Article 4. Main guiding principles of the Service's activity The main guiding principles of the Service's activity are:🔗

a) legality;

b) protection of and respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms;

c) combination of overt and covert forms of activity;

d) unity and centralization;

e) inadmissibility of discrimination;

f) proportionality and exercise of discretionary powers;

g) political neutrality.

Article 5. Directions of the Service's activity In order to ensure state security, the directions of the Service's activity are:🔗

a) protection of Georgia's constitutional order, sovereignty, territorial integrity and military potential from unlawful actions of special services of foreign countries and of individual persons;

b) detection of unconstitutional, violent change of Georgia's constitutional order and state authority and ensuring their protection;

c) ensuring the country's economic security;

d) combating terrorism;

e) combating transnational organized crime and international crime posing a threat to state security;

f) implementation of measures to prevent, detect and suppress corruption;

g) protection of state secrets, implementation of measures to ensure the protection of state secrets in accordance with the procedure established by Georgian legislation and control over their implementation;

h) protection of the country from external threats.

Article 6. Head of the Service and his deputies 1. The Head of the Service shall direct the areas of activity of the Service and shall head the Service.🔗

2. The Head of the Service:

a) regulates issues falling within the sphere of competence of the Service;

b) in the cases and within the scope determined by a legislative act of Georgia or a Resolution of the Government of Georgia, issues a subordinate normative act;

c) issues individual administrative-legal acts;

d) within the scope of his competence, appoints and dismisses employees of the Service, including heads of structural subdivisions of the Service and their deputies, and determines their powers;

e) submits to the Prime Minister of Georgia, for appointment, the candidates for the First Deputy Head and the Deputy Heads of the Service;

f) within the scope of his competence, confers a special state rank on an employee;

g) in accordance with the legislation of Georgia, within the scope of his competence, encourages and imposes disciplinary liability on an employee, nominates him for a state award, and also applies to the person the forms of encouragement provided for by paragraph 4 of Article 36 of this Law;

h) creates commissions and working groups;

i) represents the Service in relations with international and other organisations;

j) approves the text of the oath of an employee of the Service;

k) approves the code of ethics of employees of the Service;

l) establishes the regime of protection of state security for subjects with a high risk to state security determined by a Resolution of the Government of Georgia;

m) on the basis of a submission of the head of the state sub-agency institution within the sphere of governance of the Service − the Intelligence Agency (hereinafter − the Intelligence Agency) − sends official intelligence representatives to the diplomatic representations of Georgia abroad;

n) directs the implementation of the National Intelligence Programme approved by the Prime Minister of Georgia;

o) proceeding from the National Intelligence Programme, determines the tasks and priorities related to the intelligence activities of the Service;

p) exercises other powers conferred on him by the legislation of Georgia.

3. The Head of the Service shall have a First Deputy and Deputies.

4. The First Deputy and the Deputies of the Head of the Service shall be appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister of Georgia on the submission of the Head of the Service.

5. The powers of the First Deputy and the Deputies of the Head of the Service shall be determined by the statute of the Service, legal acts of the Head of the Service and other normative acts.

6. The powers of the First Deputy and the Deputies of the Head of the Service shall terminate upon the election of a new Head of the Service.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 – website, 27 March 2017.

Law of Georgia of 6 December 2018 No. 3882 – website, 14 December 2018.

Law of Georgia of 21 September 2023 No. 3508 – website, 12 October 2023.

Law of Georgia No. 762 of 26 June 2025 – website, 27 June 2025.

Article 7. Election of the Head of the Service 1. Not earlier than 2 months and not later than 8 weeks before the expiration of the term of office of the Head of the Service, the Prime Minister of Georgia submits the candidacy for the Head of the Service to the Government of Georgia for consideration. The Government of Georgia submits the candidacy for the Head of the Service to the Parliament of Georgia for election.🔗

2. Within 1 week from the submission to it by the Prime Minister of Georgia of the candidacy for the Head of the Service, the Government of Georgia, in the manner established by the Rules of Procedure of the Government of Georgia, considers this candidacy and adopts an ordinance on its submission to the Parliament of Georgia.

3. If the Government of Georgia has not adopted an ordinance on the submission of the candidacy for the Head of the Service to the Parliament of Georgia, the Prime Minister of Georgia, within 3 calendar days, re-submits the same or another candidacy to the Government of Georgia, after which the Government of Georgia carries out the procedure established by paragraph 2 of this article.

4. If the Government of Georgia again has not adopted an ordinance on the submission of the candidacy for the Head of the Service to the Parliament of Georgia, the procedure established by paragraph 3 of this article shall be repeated.

5. The same candidacy may be submitted to the Government of Georgia only twice.

6. Within 2 weeks from the submission to it by the Government of Georgia of the candidacy for the Head of the Service, the Parliament of Georgia, in the manner established by the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia, considers this candidacy and elects the Head of the Service.

7. If the candidacy for the Head of the Service fails to receive the required number of votes, the Prime Minister of Georgia, within 1 week, submits a candidacy for the Head of the Service to the Government of Georgia, after which the procedures established by paragraphs 2–6 of this article shall be carried out.

8. If the Head of the Service again fails to be elected, the procedure established by paragraph 7 of this article shall be repeated. This process shall continue until the election of the Head of the Service.

9. The same candidacy may be submitted to the Parliament of Georgia only twice.

10. If, before the expiration of the term of office of the Head of the Service, his successor is not elected, from the day of expiration of the term of office of the Head of the Service until the election of a new Head of the Service, the duties of the Head of the Service shall be performed by his first deputy or one of the deputies appointed by an ordinance of the Government of Georgia as acting Head of the Service. In the event of the election of a new Head of the Service before the expiration of the term of office of the Head of the Service, he shall commence the performance of official duties immediately upon the expiration of the term of office of the current Head of the Service.

11. The term of office of the Head of the Service shall be 6 years. This term shall begin from the day following the day of expiration of the term of office of the predecessor Head of the Service.

12. The same person may not be elected to the position of Head of the Service twice in succession. A person who was elected to the position of Head of the Service may not be re-elected to the position of Head of the Service within 6 years after the expiry of the term of office or the early termination of the term of office.

13. A citizen of Georgia who is at least 35 years of age, legally capable, has higher education, has at least 2 years of work experience in a law enforcement body, and who has command of the state language of Georgia, may be elected to the position of Head of the Service. The position of Head of the Service may not be held by a citizen of Georgia who is simultaneously a citizen of a foreign country.

Law of Georgia of 6 December 2018 No. 3882 – website, 14.12.2018.

Article 8. Incompatibility of the position of Head of the Service The position of Head of the Service is incompatible with any position in public or private service. The Head of the Service shall not have the right to carry out any remunerated activity, except scientific, pedagogical or creative activity. The Head of the Service may not be a member of a political party or otherwise participate in political activity.🔗

Article 9. Accountability and Responsibility of the Head of the Service🔗

1. The Head of the Service is accountable and responsible before the Parliament of Georgia. The Head of the Service, as the head of a special-purpose state institution directly subordinate to the Government of Georgia, is also accountable before the Government of Georgia.

2. The Head of the Service shall be obliged, once a year, no later than 15 April, to submit to the Parliament of Georgia a report on the activities carried out by the Service in the previous year.

3. (Removed – 06.12.2018, No. 3882).

4. (Removed – 06.12.2018, No. 3882).

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 – website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 6 December 2018 No. 3882 – website, 14.12.2018.

Law of Georgia of 1 December 2022 No. 2278 – website, 13.12.2022.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 10. Early termination of the powers of the Head of the Service 1. The powers of the Head of the Service shall be terminated early if:🔗

a) his/her Georgian citizenship was terminated;

b) he/she failed to perform his/her official duty for 2 consecutive months;

c) a conviction judgment of a court entered into legal force in respect of him/her;

d) the court declared him/her missing, declared him/her deceased, or recognized him/her as a support recipient;

e) he/she has taken or holds a position incompatible with the position of the Head of the Service or carries out an activity incompatible with it;

f) he/she voluntarily resigned from the position;

g) he/she was dismissed from the position by the Parliament of Georgia in accordance with the procedure established by the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia;

h) he/she died.

2. Information on the circumstance provided for by subparagraphs "a", "c", "d", "f", "h" of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be taken into cognizance by the Parliament of Georgia after verification in accordance with the procedure established by the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia, after which the powers of the Head of the Service shall be terminated early.

3. If the ground provided for by subparagraph "b" or "e" of paragraph 1 of this Article exists, the Government of Georgia is entitled to adopt an order on the suspension of the powers of the Head of the Service and on the submission to the Parliament of Georgia of a request for early termination of his/her powers. This order shall be submitted immediately to the Parliament of Georgia, which shall consider it in accordance with the procedure established by the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia and adopt a decision on the early termination of the powers of the Head of the Service. If the Parliament of Georgia has not adopted a decision on the early termination of the powers of the Head of the Service, the order of the Government of Georgia on the suspension of the powers of the Head of the Service shall be considered invalid.

4. If the ground provided for by subparagraph "b" or "e" of paragraph 1 of this Article exists, the Parliament of Georgia is entitled, on its own initiative, in accordance with the procedure established by the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia, to consider the issue of the early termination of the powers of the Head of the Service and to adopt a decision on the early termination of the powers of the Head of the Service.

5. After hearing the report of the Head of the Service, not less than one third of the full composition of the Parliament of Georgia has the right to raise the issue of the dismissal of the Head of the Service from the position, if during the hearing of the report the necessity of adopting such a decision became apparent. In such case, the initiators shall indicate the reasons/grounds for raising the above issue. The Parliament of Georgia shall adopt a decision on the dismissal of the Head of the Service from the position in accordance with the procedure established by the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia.

6. If the Parliament of Georgia, in the cases provided for by paragraphs 3–5 of this Article, has not adopted a decision on the early termination of the powers of the Head of the Service, the issue of the early termination of his/her powers on the same reason/ground may not be raised again within the following 6 months.

7. In the event of suspension or early termination of the powers of the Head of the Service, his/her duties shall be performed by the First Deputy of the Head of the Service, and in the event of the impossibility of performance of these duties by the First Deputy – by one of the deputies appointed by an order of the Government of Georgia as acting Head of the Service.

8. In the event of early termination of the powers of the Head of the Service, the Prime Minister of Georgia shall submit the candidacy of the new Head of the Service to the Government of Georgia within 1 month from the early termination of the powers of the Head of the Service. Thereafter, the procedure for selecting the Head of the Service shall continue in accordance with the procedure established by paragraphs 2–8 of Article 7 of this Law.

Law of Georgia of 6 December 2018 No. 3882 – website, 14 December 2018.

Article 11. Functions of the Service The functions of the Service are:🔗

a) in accordance with the directions provided for by Article 5 of this Law, prevention (implementation of preventive measures), detection, suppression and investigation of crimes assigned to the investigative jurisdiction of the Service;

b) analysis of crimes assigned to the investigative jurisdiction of the Service, anticipated threats, risks and challenges.

Article 12. Powers of the Service 1. To ensure the performance of preventive functions, the Service, within the scope of its competence, is authorised to:🔗

a) take, in order to prevent threats to state security, the preventive measures defined by Article 13 of this Law, including, for the purpose of establishing identity, to verify a person's identity (residence) document, if there are sufficient grounds to assume that this person has committed a crime falling within the Service's investigative jurisdiction or will commit it, or if such verification is related to the performance of an employee's official duty;

b) take urgent measures to protect human life and health, and provide him/her with primary emergency medical assistance;

c) warn state bodies, natural and legal persons about possible actions that pose a threat to state security;

d) within the scope of its competence, on the basis of Georgia's international treaties, together with the relevant agencies, take measures to ensure the personal and property security of representations of foreign countries and international organisations in the territory of Georgia, as well as the security of Georgia's institutions and citizens outside the borders of Georgia;

e) participate in ensuring the security of international events;

f) during a state of emergency or martial law, ensure the security and readiness of the state's mobilisation-call-up points and operational-management staffs;

g) ensure the full mobilisation readiness of the Service;

h) receive and register information about cases of crimes falling within the Service's investigative jurisdiction, and record persons committing such crimes;

i) notify the Prime Minister of Georgia, the Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia, the highest state bodies and interested agencies about expected threats to state security;

j) obtain information from open and covert sources, and carry out analytical processing and generalisation of the received information;

k) in coordination with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, ensure nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological security at border crossing points;

l) ensure the prevention, detection and suppression of illicit trafficking of weapons of mass destruction.

2. For the purpose of responding to threats to state security, the Service, within the scope of its competence, is authorised to:

a) conduct investigation, search for and detain persons accused and guilty of committing a crime, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;

a¹) ensure the placement of persons detained for committing a crime in a temporary detention isolator;

b) carry out, in accordance with the procedure established by law, operative-search measures, as well as investigative and covert investigative actions.

c) together with the Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the bodies of the Special State Protection Service and other state bodies, participate in measures to combat organized crime, corruption and the drug business;

d) in cases of urgent necessity, use the following belonging to a state body, natural and legal persons (except a diplomatic mission and consular institution of a foreign country):

d.a) means of communication – for establishing necessary communication with the relevant state body, natural and legal persons;

d.b) means of transport – for arriving at the scene of the incident, for suppressing a crime and/or for detaining a person committing a crime or a person accused of committing a crime.

Note: in the cases provided for by subparagraph “d” of this paragraph, the Service shall be obliged to compensate the owners of means of communication and means of transport for the damage caused to them;

e) ensure the expert forensic examination of computer data and technical equipment.

3. In the area of counter-intelligence activity, the Service, within the scope of its competence, is entitled to:

a) carry out counter-intelligence activity for the purpose of preventing, detecting and suppressing intelligence activity directed against Georgia by special services and organizations of foreign countries, as well as take necessary measures to ensure state security;

b) for the purpose of ensuring state security, carry out counter-intelligence activity in the Defence Forces of Georgia.

3¹. The Service, within the scope of its competence, is entitled to carry out, in the area of intelligence:

a) intelligence activity;

b) foreign counter-intelligence activity.

4. The Service, within the scope of its competence, is entitled to:

a) together with the agencies determined by law, carry out appropriate measures to ensure the security of the state border of Georgia;

b) in coordination with the Special State Protection Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, promptly ensure the protection of a subject posing a high risk to state security and of the highest officials of a state body, as well as of the highest official of a foreign country visiting Georgia, a representative of an international organization, the head of a diplomatic mission in Georgia and other important persons;

c) conclude, in its own name, an international treaty of an inter-agency nature;

d) ensure the security of European Union classified information.

5. For the purpose of providing the units included in it with technical means, using technical means and controlling the circulation of electronic surveillance means, the Service, within the scope of its competence, is entitled to:

a) ensure properly functioning departmental communication with the units of the Service;

b) install/place, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, on the outer perimeter of roads and buildings and at border crossing points, and also use installed automatic photo and video equipment in the possession of the Service and/or of another person.

6. The forms, methods and means of carrying out the Service's activities shall be determined by the legislation of Georgia, including by normative acts of the Head of the Service. The methods and means used shall not cause harm to human life and health, shall not violate human honour and dignity, and shall not damage the environment.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2015 No. 4646 - website, 28.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 - website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 31 October 2018 No. 3585 – website, 21.11.2018.

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2023 No. 3955 – website, 25.12.2023.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 13. Implementation of preventive measures by the Service 1. If there are sufficient grounds for assuming that a threat to state security may arise, the Service, within the scope of its competence, shall implement the following preventive measures:🔗

a) questioning of a person;

b) identification of a person;

c) summoning of a person;

d) superficial check and superficial inspection;

e) special check and inspection;

f) demand to leave a place and prohibition of entry to a specific territory.

2. The Service is entitled, in addition to the preventive measures defined by paragraph 1 of this Article, to implement other preventive measures that do not entail interference with fundamental human rights and freedoms.

3. Sufficient grounds for assumption provided for by this Law is a fact and/or information that would satisfy an objective observer, taking into account the circumstances, for drawing a conclusion.

4. A threat provided for by this Law is a situation where there are sufficient grounds for assuming that, in the event of the unimpeded course of the expected development of events, damage will with high probability be caused to a good protected by the Service.

5. A servant shall, before implementing a preventive measure defined by paragraph 1 of this Article, present to the person a document confirming his/her official authority.

Article 14. Questioning of a Person 1. An employee, within the scope of his/her competence, shall be entitled, for the purpose of performing the functions of the Service, to establish the identity of a person openly and directly from that person, for which he/she may stop him/her, ask for personal data and demand the presentation of identity documents, if:🔗

a) the person has external features identical to those of a wanted or missing person in connection with a crime falling within the investigative jurisdiction of the Service;

b) there are sufficient grounds to assume that the person has committed a crime falling within the investigative jurisdiction of the Service or will commit it;

c) the person is present on the territory or at the facility defined by paragraph 2 of Article 18 of this Law;

d) the person is present at the scene of a crime falling within the investigative jurisdiction of the Service;

e) the external features of the person or of a vehicle, or the person's actions, indicate his/her possible participation in the commission of a crime falling within the investigative jurisdiction of the Service.

2. An employee defined by paragraph 1 of this Article shall be entitled to question a person if there are sufficient grounds to assume that the person has information necessary for the performance of the functions of the Service. The provision of information by a person to an employee shall be voluntary. The questioning of a person under 14 years of age may be conducted only with the participation of a parent or another legal representative.

3. The basis for carrying out the measure defined by this Article shall be explained to the person if this does not prevent the Service from performing the functions defined by this Law. In the case of questioning provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article, before carrying out this measure, it shall be explained to the person that his/her participation in it is voluntary.

Article 15. Identification of a person🔗

1. A public servant, within the scope of his/her competence, shall be entitled, for the purpose of performing the service's functions, to carry out identification of a person in the cases provided for by paragraph 1 of Article 14 of this Law, if establishing the identity of the person is impossible or involves particular difficulties through the implementation of the preventive measures defined by the same paragraph, and the identification of the person is necessary for the prevention of a crime falling within the service's investigative jurisdiction, or there are sufficient grounds for assuming that this person has a direct connection with a crime falling within the service's investigative jurisdiction.

2. The measures for identification of a person are:

a) taking fingerprints and palm prints;

b) taking a photograph;

c) recording characteristic physical features;

d) measuring height;

e) voice recording;

f) recording other biometric data.

3. Before the implementation of a measure for identification of a person, that person shall be given the opportunity to voluntarily prove his/her identity within a reasonable time.

4. An authorised public servant, in the case of implementation of a measure for identification of a person, shall draw up a protocol of identification of the person. The protocol shall indicate the ground for the implementation of the measure and all significant factual circumstances. The protocol shall be signed by the public servant implementing the measure and the addressee of the measure. If the addressee of the measure refuses to sign the protocol, a corresponding note shall be made in the protocol. The addressee of the measure shall have the right to enter a remark in the protocol, which he/she shall confirm by signature.

Article 16. Summoning of a person🔗

1. A public servant, within the scope of his/her competence, shall be entitled, for the purpose of an interview, to summon a person to the service by notification, if:

a) there are sufficient grounds for assuming that the person has information necessary for the performance of the service's functions;

b) this is necessary for the implementation of a measure for identification of another person.

2. Upon notification, the person shall be explained the ground for the summons.

3. When notifying about the summons, the person shall be explained that appearing at the service and leaving the service are voluntary.

4. When summoning a person, the particularities of his/her official duties and personal life interests shall be taken into account.

5. Summoning of a minor shall be permissible only together with a parent or a legal representative.

6. The duration of the stay at the service of a summoned adult person shall not exceed 4 hours, and that of a minor – 2 hours.

7. In the case of an interview with a summoned person, a protocol of the interview shall be drawn up. The protocol shall be signed by the authorised public servant who drew up the protocol and the summoned person, and if the summoned person is a minor − also by his/her accompanying parent or legal representative. The protocol shall indicate the addressee of the interview, the ground for the interview, the explanation to the summoned person of his/her rights, and other factual circumstances. If the summoned person refuses to sign the protocol, a corresponding note shall be made in the protocol. The summoned person shall have the right to enter a remark in the protocol, which he/she shall confirm by signature.

Article 17. Superficial inspection and superficial examination 1. Superficial inspection means touching only the outer surface of a person's clothing by hand, with a special tool or means.🔗

2. An officer, within the scope of his/her competence, is authorized to stop a person for the purpose of superficial inspection if:

a) there are sufficient grounds to assume that the person carries an item the carrying of which poses a threat to his or another person's life and health;

b) the person is in the immediate vicinity, within a radius of 20 meters, of the territory or facility defined by paragraph 2 of Article 18 of this Law;

c) there are sufficient grounds to assume that at the place where the person is located, a person wanted for committing a crime falling within the investigative jurisdiction of the service is hiding, or it is possible that a crime falling within the investigative jurisdiction of the service may be committed.

3. Superficial inspection shall be carried out by an authorized officer of the corresponding sex. In case of urgent necessity, superficial inspection may be carried out by any authorized officer only with a special tool or means.

4. An officer, within the scope of his/her competence, is authorized to carry out a superficial examination of an item or vehicle if:

a) he/she is carrying out a superficial inspection of the actual possessor of this item or vehicle;

b) there are sufficient grounds to assume that a person committing a crime falling within the investigative jurisdiction of the service is in this vehicle;

c) there are sufficient grounds to assume that there is an item in this vehicle which is subject to seizure;

d) there are sufficient grounds to assume that this item or vehicle is where it is possible that a crime falling within the investigative jurisdiction of the service may be committed, to prevent which it is necessary to carry out a superficial examination.

5. Superficial examination of an item or vehicle means a visual examination of the item and/or vehicle, and in the case of a vehicle, also a visual examination of its trunk.

6. The actual possessor of this item or vehicle or a member of his/her family must be present at the superficial examination of the item or vehicle.

7. An authorized officer is obliged to explain to the person the right to appeal the lawfulness of the measure provided for by this Article.

8. The time limit for stopping a person shall not exceed 30 minutes from the moment of stopping.

9. In the event of carrying out the measure defined by this Article, the authorised servant shall draw up a record. The record shall be signed by the authorised servant drawing up the record and the addressee of the measure, and, during a surface inspection/examination of a thing or a vehicle, in the event of the addressee of the measure being absent from the place – by a member of his/her family, and in the event of a member of the family of the addressee of the measure being absent from the place – by a neighbour. The record shall indicate the persons participating in the measure and the factual circumstances. In the event of the addressee of the measure refusing to sign the record, a corresponding entry shall be made in the record. The person signing the record shall have the right to enter a remark in the record, which he/she shall confirm by signature. If it is impossible to establish the identity of the owner of the thing or vehicle to be inspected/examined, the authorised servant shall carry out the measure defined by this Article without the participation of the persons provided for by this paragraph.

10. If, during a surface inspection, grounds for a search arise, the authorised servant shall conduct the search in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia.

Article 18. Special inspection and examination 1. Special inspection and examination implies the inspection and examination of a person, a thing or a vehicle on the territory or facility defined by paragraph 2 of this Article, which are necessary for detecting a thing, as well as for establishing the nature of the thing.🔗

2. The Service, within the scope of its competence, shall carry out special inspection and examination of a person only:

a) in the building and territory of the Service;

b) in the building and territory of a subject of high risk to state security.

3. The Service, within the scope of its competence, shall carry out special inspection and examination of a person only if there is sufficient ground for assuming that the person carries with him/her a thing the possession of which would violate the rule established on the territory or facility defined by paragraph 2 of this Article.

4. Special inspection and examination of a person shall be carried out by an authorized employee of the corresponding sex, except when the carrying out of special inspection and examination of a person by an authorized employee of the corresponding sex requires special effort. An authorized employee of a different sex may carry out special inspection and examination of a person only with a special instrument or means.

5. The Service, within the scope of its competence, shall carry out special inspection and examination of a thing or a vehicle in the cases provided for by paragraph 4 of Article 17 of this Law.

6. The actual holder of this thing or vehicle or a member of his/her family must be present at the special inspection and examination of the thing or vehicle.

7. In the case provided for by paragraph 4 of this Article, the authorized employee shall be obliged to explain to the person the right to appeal the lawfulness of the relevant measure.

8. If, during the special inspection and examination, grounds for a search arise, the authorized employee shall conduct the search in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia.

Article 19. Demand to leave a place and prohibition to enter a specific territory 1. An employee, within the scope of his/her competence, shall be entitled to demand that a person leave a certain place for a specified time or to prohibit him/her from entering a specific territory, if this is necessary to prevent a threat.🔗

2. The restriction referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may be extended until the threat is eliminated.

3. The implementation of the measures defined by this Article shall not cause a long-term restriction of a person's right to enjoy his/her own place of residence.

Article 20. Relations with a person who assists the Service🔗

1. The Service shall be entitled, for the performance of its functions, to receive voluntary confidential assistance from citizens of Georgia, foreign nationals and stateless persons and to establish open or covert relations with them for this purpose.

2. For the purpose of protecting state security, a person shall have the right to voluntarily cooperate with the Service and to provide assistance to it.

3. A person who assists the Service shall have the right to:

a) conclude a contract with the Service on confidential cooperation;

b) receive explanations from an authorised employee regarding his/her tasks, rights and duties;

c) use encrypted identity documents for the purpose of maintaining cover;

d) receive remuneration in the cases provided for by the contract, and also receive compensation for damage caused to his/her health or property in the course of providing assistance to the Service.

4. A person who, on the basis of a contract, provides assistance to the Service shall be obliged to:

a) carry out the lawful instructions of the Service for the resolution of his/her tasks;

b) comply with the terms of the contract concluded with the Service;

c) not deliberately provide the Service with false or defamatory information.

Article 21. Protection of state secrets🔗

1. For the purpose of protecting state secrets, the Service, within the scope of its competence, shall be entitled to:

a) in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, participate in the elaboration and implementation of measures for the protection of state secrets, and monitor their implementation in those organisations, institutions and enterprises (regardless of their form of ownership) where activities related to state secrets are carried out;

b) check a person for the purpose of granting access to state secrets;

c) in order to ensure the protection of state secrets, in organisations, institutions and enterprises (regardless of their form of ownership), in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, exercise control over those electronic means of communication and information which are used for creating, processing, storing and transmitting information containing state secrets;

d) in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, check state bodies, bodies of the autonomous republics and municipalities, as well as natural and legal persons, in order to issue the appropriate permit for the right to carry out activities related to state secrets.

2. Measures for the declassification and protection of information containing state secrets shall be financed from the budget of a state body, organisation, institution, enterprise (regardless of its legal form) and/or on the basis of a contract concluded with the customer for the performance of works related to state secrets.

Law of Georgia of 15 July 2020 No. 7005 – website, 28 July 2020.

Article 22. Ensuring state security in entities posing a high risk to state security 1. For the purpose of ensuring state security, the Service shall be entitled to:🔗

a) establish a security protection regime for entities posing a high risk to state security as defined by a Resolution of the Government of Georgia, taking into account their specifics, and also provide them with appropriate consultation on matters related to the protection of state security;

b) in accordance with the procedure for the exchange of information in the field of state security approved by a Resolution of the Government of Georgia, create an effective system for the exchange of information with entities posing a high risk to state security;

c) monitor the implementation of the security protection regime in entities posing a high risk to state security and, in the event of detection of threats posing a high risk to state security, give them binding instructions for implementation;

d) in the event of a written application by an entity posing a high risk to state security, conclude the cooperation contract provided for by this Article.

2. The security protection regime for the entities provided for by this Article is a classified document binding for implementation, which determines:

a) the list of measures necessary for ensuring the security protection regime;

b) the material and technical conditions necessary for ensuring security, including technical and software means, necessary devices and equipment;

c) the minimum number of employees necessary for ensuring security, their necessary deployment locations and work schedule (including the number of shifts and other matters);

d) the list of those officials responsible for security protection in entities posing a high risk to state security, whose appointment to office requires, for the purposes of ensuring state security, their special vetting and agreement with the Service in accordance with the procedure defined by an Order of the Head of the Service;

e) the procedure and conditions for monitoring the fulfilment of the conditions defined by the security protection regime in entities posing a high risk to state security.

3. The contract provided for by subparagraph "d" of paragraph 1 of this Article may determine:

a) the types and scope of cooperation between the Service and an entity posing a high risk to state security, including the matter of appointing a representative of the Service for the purpose of monitoring the implementation of the security protection regime;

b) matters of reimbursement of the expenses necessary for the implementation of the measures defined by the security protection regime.

4. An entity posing a high risk to state security shall be obliged to ensure, at its own expense, the observance and fulfilment of the conditions defined by the security protection regime.

Article 23. Coercive measures 1. Coercive measures are the use of physical force, special means and firearms by an authorized unit of the Service and an authorized employee for the purposes provided for by this Law.🔗

2. An employee is entitled, for the performance of the functions assigned to him/her, to use proportionate and suitable coercive measures only in a case of necessity, with an intensity that ensures the achievement of a lawful aim.

3. An employee is entitled to use firearms and special means only if he/she has undergone special training.

4. An employee is obliged to warn the person in advance about the use of physical force, special means and firearms, to give him/her a reasonable time to comply with his/her lawful demand, except for the case where the delay may endanger the life and health of the person and/or the employee or cause another grave consequence, or in the situation that has arisen such a warning is unjustified or impossible.

5. The type and intensity of a coercive measure shall be determined taking into account the specific situation, the nature of the offence and the individual characteristics of the offender. At the same time, when using a coercive measure, the employee must endeavour to ensure that the harm caused is minimal and commensurate.

6. An employee is obliged to provide first urgent medical aid to a person injured as a result of the use of coercive measures.

7. An employee is prohibited from using a means that causes severe mutilation of a person, involves unjustified risk or is prohibited by the legislation of Georgia.

8. The use of physical force, special means and firearms against persons with obvious signs of pregnancy, young childhood, limited abilities or old age is prohibited, except for cases where they attack in an armed manner or in a group, offer armed resistance to a representative of the Service (employee), which poses a threat to the life and health of another person or of the employee, if repelling such attack and resistance by other methods and means is impossible.

9. An exception to paragraph 8 of this Article is the case where the non-use of physical force and special means makes it impossible to perform a function defined by this Law.

10. A person who considers that his/her rights and freedoms have been violated by an act of an employee has the right, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, to appeal this act to a superior official, to the prosecutor's office or to a court.

Article 24. Right to use physical force 1. An officer has the right to use physical force, including special hand-to-hand combat techniques, to ensure the protection of their own and/or other persons' safety, to prevent a crime, to detain a person committing a crime, if the use of non-force methods cannot ensure the performance by the officer of the function determined by law.🔗

2. The officer shall notify the immediate superior and the prosecutor about injury to a person as a result of the use of physical force.

3. If physical force was used against an indefinite circle of persons, the supervising official of the officer who used physical force shall notify the immediate superior and the prosecutor about this.

Article 25. Right to Use Special Means 1. To protect state security, a serviceman uses passive and active special means.🔗

2. Passive special means ensure the protection of the life and health of the serviceman and/or the person to be protected by him. Passive special means are: bulletproof vest, helmet, shield, gas mask, other special means of body protection.

3. Active special means temporarily deprive a person of the ability to resist the serviceman and/or help the serviceman in the performance of his function. Active special means are: handcuffs and other means of restraint, special baton, tear gas, pepper gas, acoustic means and non-lethal weapons (including a non-lethal projectile), light and sound device for psychological impact, means for forced stopping of transport, obstacle-destroying means, water cannon, armored vehicle and other special transport means, special paint, service dog and service horse, electroshock device, restraining net. The said special means are used:

a) handcuffs and other means of restraint – against a person committing a crime who resists or may resist the serviceman, or attempts to escape; when escorting a detained or arrested person; if a person, by his dangerous action, can cause harm to himself/herself and others;

b) special baton – to repel an attack on a person, the serviceman and/or a protected facility; when detaining a person committing a crime, if he maliciously disobeys the lawful demand of the serviceman;

c) tear gas, pepper gas, acoustic means and non-lethal weapons (including a non-lethal projectile) – to repel an attack on a person, the serviceman and/or a protected facility; when detaining a person committing a crime, or for the purpose of compelling him to leave the occupied territory, vehicle or building/structure where he is hiding;

d) light and sound device for psychological impact – to repel an attack on a state and/or public facility, to repel an attack on a person and/or the serviceman, to detain a person offering armed resistance; to expel a criminal who has intruded from a building/structure, land plot, vehicle, to release a person unlawfully deprived of liberty;

e) means for forced stopping of transport – to forcibly stop a vehicle whose driver has not complied with the lawful demand of the serviceman to stop and there are sufficient grounds to assume that the vehicle is driven by or contains a person who is preparing or committing a crime within the investigative jurisdiction of the service, if the use of such means is necessary to protect a proportionate legal good;

f) obstacle-destroying means – when detaining a person committing a crime, to release a person unlawfully deprived of liberty from an enclosed space;

g) water cannon, armoured vehicle and other special means of transport – to repel a group attack on a state and/or public facility, to forcibly stop a vehicle whose driver has not complied with the lawful demand of a servant to stop and there are sufficient grounds to presume that the vehicle is driven by, or contains, a person who is preparing or committing a crime falling within the investigative jurisdiction of the service, if the use of such means is necessary to protect a proportionate legal good, to detain an armed offender;

h) special paint – to identify a person committing a crime;

i) service dog – when pursuing and detaining a person committing a crime, when escorting a detainee or an arrested person, to repel an attack on a person and/or a servant;

j) electric shock device – to repel an attack on a person, a servant and/or a protected facility, when detaining an offender;

k) restraining net – when pursuing an offender, to repel an armed attack, to capture an attacker.

4. A servant shall notify the immediate superior and the prosecutor of the wounding or injury of a person as a result of the use of a special means.

5. If a special means was used against an indefinite circle of persons, the supervising official of the servant who used the special means shall notify the immediate superior and the prosecutor thereof.

6. The rules for the storage, carrying and use of special means in the armament of the service shall be determined by a normative act of the head of the service.

Article 26. Right to Use Firearms 1. An employee shall have the right to keep, carry and use service-issue firearms, as well as, in accordance with the procedure determined by the head of the service, additional service-issue firearms.🔗

2. The procedure for keeping and carrying firearms at the disposal of employees shall be determined by the head of the service.

3. The demonstration of a weapon by an employee to achieve a legitimate aim shall be considered passive use of a firearm.

4. An aimed shot from a weapon shall be considered active use of a firearm.

5. An employee shall have the right to use a firearm as an extreme measure:

a) to protect oneself and/or another person, when a real, direct and immediate threat is posed to life and/or health;

b) to release a person unlawfully deprived of liberty;

c) to prevent the escape of a person detained for committing a violent act or an especially grave crime, according to prior information available to him;

d) to suppress a violent crime, if the person resists the employee;

e) to repel an attack on a protected facility, a state body and/or a public organisation;

f) to protect a person from an attack by a dangerous animal;

g) to damage a vehicle for the purpose of stopping it, if the driver's actions pose a real threat to human life and/or health and the driver does not comply with the employee's repeated lawful demand to stop the vehicle, except for shooting from a moving vehicle at a moving vehicle.

6. The active use of a firearm against a person shall be preceded by a verbal warning about its use, then a warning shot. In case of necessity, a warning shot may be dispensed with.

7. Firearms may be used without warning:

a) during an armed attack, during a surprise attack with military equipment, any transport or mechanical means;

b) during the escape of a person detained or imprisoned for committing an especially grave crime with the use of a vehicle, according to prior information available to the employee;

c) when a person offers armed resistance;

d) to give an alarm signal or to call for assistance;

e) to prevent the seizure of a firearm;

f) to end the life of a mortally injured or infected animal, when it is clear that the problem cannot be solved otherwise.

8. The use of a firearm that entails a risk of fatal injury may be permitted only in cases of necessary defence and/or extreme necessity.

9. An employee shall be prohibited from using a firearm in places where there is a risk of injury to other persons, as well as in fire-hazardous and explosion-hazardous places, except in cases of necessary defence and/or extreme necessity.

10. A servant shall immediately notify his/her immediate superior and the prosecutor of the active use of a firearm.

11. The list of firearms and ammunition in the possession of the servants shall be approved by order of the Head of the Service.

12. The rules for the circulation of and control over arms in the Service shall be approved by order of the Head of the Service.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 27. Rules of performance of service🔗

1. The rules of performance of service by a servant shall be determined by a normative act of the Head of the Service. The said normative act may determine, differently from this Law and/or another relevant act (acts), the rules for admission to the Service, the restrictions established for admission to the Service and the placing of a civil servant of the Service at the disposal of the personnel.

2. A servant shall be prohibited from:

a) going on strike;

b) organising and/or holding an assembly or manifestation, as well as participating therein;

c) membership of a political association;

d) disclosure of state, professional or commercial secrets, as well as of information containing confidential information, internal service data, personal data and investigation materials, except in cases provided for by law.

Law of Georgia of 5 September 2018 No. 3397 – website, 26.09.2018.

Law of Georgia of 17 December 2025 No. 1342 – website, 17.12.2025.

Article 28. Incompatibility with service and pursuit of entrepreneurial activity🔗

1. A servant of the Service holding a special state rank shall not be entitled to:

a) perform any remunerated work, except scientific, pedagogical or creative activity;

b) hold any position in another institution or in an organ/institution of a foreign country.

2. A civil servant of the Service, except for a person provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, shall be entitled to hold another position concurrently and to perform other remunerated work only in the same institution.

3. A non-staff servant and an auxiliary servant of the Service shall be entitled to hold another position and to perform other remunerated work in the same institution or elsewhere, except in the Legal Entity of Public Law – Operational-Technical Agency of Georgia, on the basis of a written agreement with the head of the relevant structural subdivision or territorial body of the Service.

4. A civil servant of the Service, including a servant holding a special state rank, shall not be entitled to pursue entrepreneurial activity. He/she may only own shares and an interest.

5. The servants defined by paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article shall not be restricted in their right to pursue scientific, pedagogical or creative activity.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 – website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 21 September 2023 No. 3508 – website, 12.10.2023.

Article 29. Procedure for Admission to the Service 1. A citizen of Georgia who has reached 18 years of age, who possesses the state language of Georgia and who, in accordance with his/her personal and professional qualities, education, physical training and state of health, is able to perform the functions assigned to him/her, shall be admitted to work in the Service.🔗

2. A candidate to be admitted to work in the Service shall be selected by the relevant personnel unit and a special commission, which verify the candidate's state of health, physical training, education and professional qualities.

3. Candidates to be admitted to certain positions in the Service shall, before admission to work in the Service or after admission, undergo the relevant educational programme or course of special training at a legal entity of public law operating in the field of administration of the Service – the State Security Academy (hereinafter – the State Security Academy) or at another educational institution. The training, retraining or professional development of a person at the State Security Academy or another educational institution shall be carried out in accordance with the legal acts of the duly authorised person of the Service.

4. The procedure for the admission of a conscript to the Service and for his service therein shall be determined by legal acts of the Head of the Service and other normative acts.

5. A candidate to be admitted to work in the Service shall undergo a special vetting, the procedure for which shall be determined by order of the Head of the Service. After admission to work in the Service, the member of the Service shall be assigned to the open or covert staff of the Service, which shall be determined in accordance with the staffing schedule of the Service.

6. A legal act on admission/appointment to the Service or dismissal/removal from the Service may be issued using the electronic document management system. A legal act issued in this manner shall be deemed delivered from the moment of sending in the electronic document management system to the address of the person directly affected by the legal act on admission/appointment to the Service or dismissal/removal from the Service, including on removal from office.

7. In connection with the admission of a person to work in the Intelligence Agency, his special vetting and his service therein, rules different from those established by this Chapter may be established, which shall be approved by the Head of the Service upon the submission of the Head of the Intelligence Agency, unless otherwise provided by law.

8. A citizen of Georgia who has not completed compulsory military service/national military service of conscripts and is a conscript, as well as a citizen of Georgia who has been exempted from performing the national military service of conscripts in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, may be admitted to work in the Service.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 – website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 3 October 2019 No. 5087 – website, 07.10.2019.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Law of Georgia of 17 December 2025 No. 1342 – website, 17.12.2025.

Law of Georgia of 1 April 2026 No. 1470 – website, 01.04.2026.

Article 29¹. Training of Service Personnel 1. The State Security Academy implements a master's programme, a special vocational educational programme, as well as an appropriate study programme or course, the purpose of which is the acquisition by a person of basic special professional knowledge and the development of skills through training, retraining and professional development, for service in the Service and/or, in cases provided for by the legislation of Georgia, in another agency/organisation (regardless of its legal form).🔗

2. In cases determined by the legislation of Georgia, restrictions not provided for by the Law of Georgia "On Higher Education" may be imposed on a student of the State Security Academy, the higher educational institution for state security, by legal acts of the Head of the Service.

3. Legal acts regulating relations with servants of the Service may, under the relevant special legislation of the Service, be determined differently from the Law of Georgia "On Higher Education".

4. The procedure for a student's undergoing a special check upon admission to the State Security Academy, for granting him/her access to state secrets, as well as for his/her enjoyment of guarantees of social and legal protection, exercise of other rights and performance of duties shall be established by the Head of the Service.

5. The Service shall, in the manner established by this Law, provide programme funding for the State Security Academy.

6. The statute of the State Security Academy may determine a structure, functions of structural units and management bodies different from those provided for by the Law of Georgia "On Higher Education" for a higher educational institution founded by the State, as well as establish different procedures for staffing the highest representative body of the State Security Academy and for holding the position of Rector.

7. Proceeding from the needs of the Service, the functions, duties and rules of activity of the State Security Academy may, under the relevant special legislation of the Service, be determined differently from the Law of Georgia "On Higher Education".

Law of Georgia of 17 December 2025 No. 1342 – website, 17.12.2025.

Article 30. Restrictions established for admission to service — the following shall not be admitted to service:🔗

a) a convicted person;

b) a person against whom criminal prosecution is ongoing;

c) a person who is recognized as a recipient of support by a court judgment, unless otherwise determined by a court judgment;

d) a person who has been deprived by a court of the right to hold the relevant position;

e) a person whose state of health, according to a medical conclusion, does not meet the requirements necessary to hold the relevant position;

f) a person suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse, mental and/or other illness. The list of illnesses shall be established by the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Protection of Georgia in agreement with the service;

g) a person who, as a result of holding the relevant position, is connected by direct official supervision to a parent, spouse, sister, brother, child or the spouse's sister, brother, parent;

h) a person applying for the citizenship of a foreign country, except for the exceptions provided by law or an international treaty of Georgia;

i) a person in other cases determined by a legal act of the head of the service.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3081 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 30¹. Transfer of a public servant to an equal (equivalent) position of his/her position due to official necessity 1. Due to official necessity, by decision of the head of the service or a person authorized for that purpose and with the consent of the public servant or without his/her consent, a decision may be taken on the transfer of the public servant to an equal (equivalent) position of his/her position. By the said procedure, the transfer of a public servant is also possible to another place territorially. Without the consent of the public servant, his/her transfer by this procedure is permissible for a period of up to 1 year. After the full expiry of the 1-year period, the said period may, if necessary, be extended for an additional period of up to 1 year.🔗

2. The transfer of a public servant by the procedure provided for by paragraph 1 of this article is permissible if the public servant, taking into account his/her education (qualification) and the functions-duties to be performed by him/her, is able to perform the functions-duties assigned to him/her.

3. After the expiry of the period provided for by paragraph 1 of this article or the elimination of the relevant official necessity, the public servant shall return to the position held before the transfer, and if this is impossible, he/she shall be appointed to a corresponding, equal (equivalent) position. If the said public servant refuses the offered position, he/she shall be dismissed from the held position.

4. Due to official necessity, in addition to the transfer of a public servant to an equal (equivalent) position of his/her position by the procedure established by this article, other cases of official relocation of a public servant shall be determined by an order of the head of the service.

Law of Georgia of 24 May 2022 No. 1578 – website, 06.06.2022.

Article 31. Temporary removal of a servant from office 1. A servant may be temporarily removed from office by order of the Head of the Service on the basis of a reasoned written request of an investigative body, an appropriate conclusion of the General Inspectorate of the Service or a request of the head of the relevant unit of the Service, from the moment of his/her recognition as an accused in a criminal case until a final decision on the case is taken, while a servant shall be temporarily removed from office by order of the Head of the Service on the basis of a court ruling, from the moment of his/her recognition as an accused in a criminal case until a final decision on the case is taken.🔗

2. A servant temporarily removed from office shall, in the event of acquittal, be reinstated to the same office, and if this is impossible – to an office of equal value.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 - website, 27.03.2017.

Article 31¹. Suspension of service relations for a servant 1. Suspension of service relations for a servant shall be effected on the grounds and in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia.🔗

2. Suspension of service relations for a servant shall be formalised by a legal act of the Head of the Service, except for cases provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 32. Procedure for dismissal of a servant from the Service 1. A servant may be dismissed from the Service:🔗

a) on the basis of a personal application (report);

b) in the event of staff reduction or during reorganisation accompanied by staff reduction;

c) due to liquidation of a structural subunit;

c¹) due to liquidation of a state sub-agency institution within the sphere of governance of the Service or of a legal entity of public law, or of a structural subunit of either of them;

d) due to expiry of the period of being at the disposal of the personnel;

e) due to reaching the maximum age for being in the Service;

f) due to expiry of the term of years of service, with his/her consent;

g) due to the commission of a disciplinary misconduct or a court conviction judgment against him/her that has entered into legal force;

h) due to incompatibility of office;

i) due to change of citizenship;

j) due to transfer to another institution;

k) due to state of health, in accordance with the conclusion of a medical commission;

l) due to recognition by a court as missing or declaration as deceased;

m) due to death;

n) on other grounds directly provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

2. The decision on dismissal of a servant from the Service shall be taken, within the scope of its competence, by the Head of the Service or a person authorised by him/her.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 - website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 33. Placement of a civil servant of the Service in the personnel reserve🔗

1. A civil servant of the Service, including a public servant holding a special state rank, may, by order of the respective authorised person, be released from the position held and placed in the personnel reserve for a period of not more than 4 months:

a) on the basis of a personal application (report);

b) in the event of staff reduction or reorganisation;

c) in the event of liquidation of a structural subdivision or a territorial body of the Service;

d) in the event of liquidation of a state sub-agency institution within the sphere of governance of the Service or of a legal entity of public law, or of a structural subdivision or a territorial body of either of them.

2. A civil servant of the Service placed in the personnel reserve may be assigned the temporary performance of duties.

3. A civil servant of the Service placed in the personnel reserve shall be deemed, from the day of placement in the personnel reserve, to have been given notice of possible dismissal from the Service.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 – website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 21 September 2023 No. 3508 – website, 12.10.2023.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 34. Ranks established in the Service🔗

1. The respective special state ranks are established in the Service. The grounds and procedure for conferring the said ranks on a public servant shall be determined by this Law and other acts.

2. A special state rank shall be conferred on a public servant if he/she holds a position for which a rank equal to or higher than the rank being conferred is determined.

3. Conferring a special state rank on a public servant while skipping a level shall be inadmissible. Special state ranks shall be conferred on a public servant only consecutively, unless otherwise provided by law.

Law of Georgia of 21 September 2023 No. 3508 – website, 12.10.2023.

Article 35. Length of service for conferring a rank🔗

1. A length of service is established for conferring a special state rank (except a junior special state rank) in the Service.

2. No length of service is established for conferring the highest special state rank. The highest special state rank shall be conferred on a public servant by the President of Georgia upon the recommendation of the Head of the Service, with the countersignature of the Prime Minister of Georgia, and on the Head of the Service – by the President of Georgia upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Georgia. The information required for this recommendation shall be sent to the Prime Minister of Georgia by the Service.

3. The Head of the Service or a person authorised by him/her shall have the right, for special merits or taking into account the results of attestation, to confer a special state rank on a public servant ahead of time.

Law of Georgia of 21 September 2023 No. 3508 – website, 12.10.2023.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 36. Forms of Incentive 1. For exemplary performance of official duties, for long and conscientious service, for the performance of a particularly difficult or important assignment, the following forms of incentive may be applied to a servant:🔗

a) expression of gratitude;

b) award of a monetary reward;

c) award of a valuable gift;

d) award of a service certificate;

e) award of a badge;

f) award of a service medallion;

g) award of a service medal;

h) early conferral of the next rank;

i) early removal of a disciplinary penalty;

j) award of a civilian or service-staff weapon;

k) nomination for a state award.

2. Several forms of incentive may be applied to a servant simultaneously.

3. The right to encourage a servant shall be vested in the person authorised for that purpose.

4. In the case of assistance rendered by a person to the service or due to other circumstances related to the service, by decision of the head of the service, the forms of incentive provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article (except subparagraphs „e“, „h“ and „i“) may be applied to the person or his/her family.

5. The procedure for encouraging servants and imposing disciplinary liability shall be determined by the head of the service.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 – website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 23 December 2017 No. 1940 – website, 29.12.2017.

Article 37. Liability of a Servant 1. A servant shall be liable for the commission of an administrative offence or a crime in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.🔗

2. A servant detained, arrested or convicted for the commission of a crime shall be placed or shall serve his/her sentence in isolation from other special contingents.

3. For violation of official discipline, the following disciplinary penalties shall be applied to a servant:

a) remark;

b) reprimand;

c) severe reprimand;

d) deprivation of the service badge;

e) demotion by one step in the state special rank;

f) demotion from position;

g) dismissal from the service.

4. The procedure for applying a disciplinary penalty to a servant and for its removal shall be determined by the head of the service.

Law of Georgia of 21 September 2023 No. 3508 – website, 12.10.2023.

Article 38. Uniform of a Servant 1. A servant may wear the uniform established by the legislation of Georgia.🔗

2. A servant shall be issued an identity card and/or a special token to confirm his/her official powers.

Article 39. Working time of a servant 1. An irregular working day shall be established for a servant.🔗

2. In a service, in a state sub-agency institution falling within its sphere of governance, or in a legal entity of public law, or in individual structural units of a service, in special cases, a special working regime may be declared for a specified period by an individual administrative-legal act of the head of the service. During the special working regime, servants shall be at the workplaces designated for them. A servant may leave the workplace only with the permission of the immediate superior.

3. During a state of war or a state of emergency or another extreme situation, the service shall switch to the special working regime.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 – website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 40. Legal protection of a servant 1. In the performance of a service duty, a servant shall be a representative of the authorities and shall be protected by the State.🔗

2. No one shall have the right to interfere in the service activity of a servant, except in cases provided by law.

3. In the performance of a service duty, obstruction of a servant, infringement of his/her honour and dignity, threats against him/her, violence, resistance to him/her, or encroachment on his/her life, health or property shall entail liability provided by the legislation of Georgia.

4. A servant who refuses to execute a clearly unlawful order or instruction shall not be held liable, while the person issuing a clearly unlawful order or instruction shall be held liable in the manner prescribed by law.

5. A servant shall have the right to apply directly to a court for the protection of his/her rights and freedoms.

6. The duration of the annual paid leave of a servant shall be 30 calendar days.

7. The duration of the annual paid leave of a servant with more than 5 years of service in the service shall be 35 calendar days, and that of a servant with more than 10 years of service – 40 calendar days.

8. Based on service needs, it shall be permissible to terminate a servant's leave and to recall him/her to continue the service.

9. The salary (remuneration) of a servant shall consist of the official salary and the rank salary.

10. In addition to the salary, a servant may be granted a supplement to and compensation on the salary (remuneration).

11. The amounts of the salary (official salary and rank salary) and of the supplement to and compensation on the salary (remuneration) of the head of the service, his/her first deputy and deputy, and of a servant, as well as the conditions and procedure for their payment, shall be determined by the Government of Georgia.

Article 41. Social protection of a servant 1. The State shall ensure the social protection of a servant.🔗

2. Mandatory State insurance of the health and life of a servant shall be ensured. The rules and conditions of State insurance of the family members of a servant (spouse, minor children) shall be determined by a legal act of the head of the service.

3. During the period of being at the disposal of the personnel, a civil servant of the service shall retain, for 2 months, the salary (monetary remuneration) corresponding to the last position held.

4. Damage caused to a servant and/or to his/her family member in connection with the performance of official duties by the servant shall be fully compensated from the funds of the State Budget of Georgia, in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia.

5. The pension provision of a servant shall be carried out in accordance with the legislation of Georgia. A servant shall be granted State compensation in the manner and amount established by the Law of Georgia on State Compensation and State Academic Scholarship.

6. The rules and conditions of medical services for a servant and his/her family member(s) shall be determined by the statute of the Legal Entity of Public Law – the Health Protection Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

7. For a servant, by order of the head of the service, within the funds of the State Budget of Georgia, additional measures and benefits of one-time assistance and other social protection may be determined.

8. By an individual administrative-legal act of the head of the service, an apartment, house, auxiliary structure and the land area attached thereto, recorded on the balance sheet of the service and in State ownership, may be transferred to a servant for use as a residence.

9. In the event of the death of a servant in the performance of official duties (except for the cases provided for by paragraph 10 of this Article) or of death as a result of injuries sustained, his/her family (heir) shall be given, from the assignments allocated for the service from the State Budget of Georgia, on the basis of an act of the head of the service, one-time monetary assistance of not more than 15,000 (fifteen thousand) GEL and an amount of 500 (five hundred) GEL to compensate for funeral (grave arrangement) expenses. The State shall compensate the expenses of the funeral of a servant, as well as of the transportation of the remains.

10. In the performance of official duties, specifically, in the implementation of a preventive measure, in the suppression of an offence, in the apprehension of an offender, in the fight against crime and/or in a clash during combat operations, in an attack related to official activity, in the saving of a person's life, health and/or property, in the event of the death of a serviceman or his death as a result of injuries sustained, his family (heir) shall be given, from the assignments allocated for the Service from the State Budget of Georgia, on the basis of an act issued by the head of the Service, one-time monetary assistance in the amount of 100,000 (one hundred thousand) GEL and a sum to reimburse funeral (grave arrangement) expenses in the amount of 500 (five hundred) GEL. The State shall reimburse the funeral expenses of the serviceman.

11. In the event of the death of a serviceman in the performance of official duties or his death as a result of injuries sustained, state compensation shall be assigned to the members of his family in accordance with the Law of Georgia on State Compensation and State Academic Scholarship.

11¹. Due to the establishment of the status of limited capabilities for a serviceman, state compensation shall be assigned in accordance with the procedure and in the amount established by the Law of Georgia on State Compensation and State Academic Scholarship.

12. Within the framework of the budgetary assignments of the Service, in the event of savings, on the basis of a legal act of the head of the Service, additional material and monetary assistance may be given to a family member (heir) of a serviceman who died in the performance of official duties or to a person dependent on him.

13. In the event of damage to health in the performance of official duties, a serviceman shall be given, in accordance with the degree of the damage, on the basis of an individual administrative-legal act of the head of the Service, one-time monetary assistance in the following amount:

a) for severe damage to health – 10,000 GEL;

b) for less severe damage to health – 5,000 GEL;

c) for mild damage to health – 2,000 GEL.

14. In the event of damage to health in the performance of official duties, if the damage makes it impossible for the serviceman to properly perform his official duties, the Service shall ensure the employment of this serviceman in the Service in a position corresponding to his personal and professional qualities, education and state of health.

15. If, in the case provided for by paragraph 14 of this Article, the Service, for an objective reason, is unable to ensure the employment of the serviceman, he shall be given, during the period of unemployment, but not more than 1 year, monthly compensation in the full amount of the official salary corresponding to the last position held.

16. The degree of damage to the serviceman's health shall be determined in accordance with the procedure established by law.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 42. Financing and Material-Technical Support of the Service 1. The Service shall be financed from the State Budget of Georgia, and the Legal Entity of Public Law within the sphere of governance of the Service – also from other revenues provided by the legislation of Georgia.🔗

2. If, for the performance of official duties, an employee uses a state-owned or privately owned vehicle, that vehicle shall be provided with fuel by the Service in the manner established by an individual administrative-legal act of the Head of the Service.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 – website, 27.03.2017.

Article 43. Operational-Technical Means of the Service 1. Within the scope of the powers conferred by this Law and other normative acts, the Service shall create and use operational-technical means, and shall also ensure their protection.🔗

2. The operational-technical means used by the Service and the methods of their use shall not violate human honour and dignity or the fundamental human rights and freedoms recognised by the Constitution of Georgia, shall not endanger human life and health, and shall not harm the environment.

3. Operational-technical means shall be used in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

Article 44. Information-Analytical Support of the Service🔗

1. The information-analytical and other types of information support of the Service shall be carried out through the creation and use of information systems (including databases).

2. The basis and procedure for recording information about crimes directed against state security, as well as about the activities of special services and organisations of foreign countries, shall be determined by an Order of the Head of the Service.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 45. Parliamentary Control 1. Parliamentary control of the Service's activities shall be exercised in the manner established by the Constitution of Georgia and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia.🔗

2. Members of the Parliament of Georgia may receive information protected by law from the Service in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 6 December 2018 No. 3882 – website, 14.12.2018.

Article 46. Governmental Control The Service shall be accountable to the Government of Georgia.🔗

Article 47. Judicial Control The conduct of investigative and procedural actions that restrict the human rights and freedoms recognised by the Constitution of Georgia may be carried out by a reasoned judgment of a court, in the manner established by law.🔗

Article 48. Supervision by the State Audit Office The use and expenditure by the Service of the funds of the State Budget of Georgia and other material assets of the State shall be supervised by the State Audit Office.🔗

Article 49. During the performance of activities by the Service as an investigative body, the Prosecutor General of Georgia and the prosecutors subordinate to him shall, in the manner prescribed by law, supervise the precise and uniform implementation of the law.🔗

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2018 No. 3812 – website, 13.12.2018.

Article 50. Internal control of the activity of an employee🔗

1. The activity of an employee shall be controlled by the General Inspectorate of the Service, and in the Intelligence Agency – also by the relevant structural subdivision of the Intelligence Agency, which in the Intelligence Agency exercises the authority defined for the General Inspectorate of the Service in accordance with this article.

2. The General Inspectorate of the Service is independent. Interference in the activity of the General Inspectorate of the Service by another structural subdivision of the Service, a legal entity of public law within the sphere of governance of the Service, or an official shall be inadmissible. The General Inspectorate of the Service shall be accountable directly to the Head of the Service, who shall, in the manner prescribed by the legislation of Georgia, exercise official supervision over it.

3. The authority of the General Inspectorate of the Service shall extend to the structural subdivisions and territorial bodies of the Service, as well as to the state sub-agency institution and the legal entity of public law within the sphere of governance of the Service.

4. The General Inspectorate of the Service:

a) shall, in the manner prescribed by the legislation of Georgia, identify the facts of violation of the norms of the disciplinary charter of employees in the Service and of the commission of unlawful acts, and shall respond appropriately;

b) shall control the financial and economic activity of the units within the Service, and shall verify the lawfulness and expediency of the disposal of material and financial resources by them;

c) shall identify the causes conducive to the violation of the legislation of Georgia by employees and shall carry out measures for their prevention, shall identify violations and shortcomings existing in the activity of the units within the Service, and shall develop recommendations for the elimination of the detected defects and their causes;

d) shall perform other functions defined by an order of the Head of the Service.

5. In the event of the detection of signs of a crime during the performance of the actions provided for by paragraph 4 of this article, the General Inspectorate of the Service shall immediately transfer the relevant materials to the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2017 No. 481 - website, 27.03.2017.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3281 – website, 09.08.2018.

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2018 No. 3812 – website, 13.12.2018.

Law of Georgia of 27 December 2018 No. 4267 – website, 29.12.2018.

Law of Georgia of 28 June 2019 No. 4901 – website, 28.06.2019.

Law of Georgia of 30 December 2021 No. 1326 – website, 13.01.2022.

Law of Georgia of 24 June 2025 No. 709 – website, 25.06.2025.

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 762 – website, 27.06.2025.

Article 51. Transitional provisions 1. The Government of Georgia shall, by 1 August 2015, ensure the implementation of appropriate organisational and legal measures in connection with the establishment of the State Security Service of Georgia.🔗

2. The Ministry of Finance of Georgia, when preparing the draft Law of Georgia on "Amending the Law of Georgia on the State Budget of Georgia for 2015", shall ensure that the amendment arising from this Law is reflected therein, and, before the Law of Georgia on "Amending the Law of Georgia on the State Budget of Georgia for 2015" is amended, the financing of the State Security Service of Georgia shall be carried out from the allocations provided for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia by the Law of Georgia on the State Budget of Georgia for 2015.

3. The Prime Minister of Georgia shall submit the candidacy of the Head of the State Security Service of Georgia to the Government of Georgia for consideration no later than 5 days after this article enters into force. The Government of Georgia shall, immediately but no later than 5 days after the submission, consider the candidacy of the Head of the Service and, if it adopts an order on submitting it to the Parliament of Georgia, submit the candidacy to the Parliament of Georgia. The Head of the Service shall be appointed by the Parliament of Georgia in accordance with the procedure established by this Law and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia. If the Parliament of Georgia fails to appoint the Head of the Service, the procedure for appointing the Head of the Service provided for by this paragraph shall be repeated. The Head of the Service appointed by the Parliament of Georgia before 1 August 2015 shall commence the exercise of his/her powers from 1 August 2015. If the Head of the Service is not appointed before 1 August 2015, the Prime Minister of Georgia is entitled to appoint temporary acting officers performing the duties of the Head of the Service and his/her deputies. The temporary acting officer performing the duties of the Head of the Service and the deputies of the Head of the Service shall cease to exercise their powers immediately upon the appointment of the Head of the Service by the Parliament of Georgia.

4. The Government of Georgia shall:

a) approve by 1 August 2015:

a.a) the Statute of the State Security Service of Georgia;

a.b) the rules for determining the amounts of salary (positional and rank pay) and of the supplement to salary (monetary pay) in the State Security Service of Georgia;

a.c) the rules of social protection and material provision for employees of the State Security Service of Georgia;

b) approve by 1 January 2016:

b.a) the rules for the exchange of information in the field of state security;

b.b) the list of entities posing a high risk to state security.

5. The Head of the Service shall:

a) approve by 1 September 2015:

a.a) the procedure for serving in the State Security Service of Georgia by an employee of the State Security Service of Georgia;

a.b) the text of the oath of an employee of the State Security Service of Georgia;

a.c) the Code of Ethics of employees of the State Security Service of Georgia;

a.d) The procedure for the encouragement of, and the imposition of disciplinary liability on, servants of the State Security Service of Georgia;

a.e) The procedure for the admission of a conscript into the State Security Service of Georgia and for his service therein;

a.f) The procedure for the storage, carrying and use of the special means in the armament of the State Security Service of Georgia;

b) Before 1 January 2016, approve:

b.a) The uniform clothing and attributes of a servant of the State Security Service of Georgia;

b.b) The designs of the badge, medallion and medal of the State Security Service of Georgia and the procedure for the awarding of a servant;

b.c) The procedure for the storage and carrying of the firearms at the disposal of servants of the State Security Service of Georgia;

b.d) The list of the firearms and ammunition in the armament of servants of the State Security Service of Georgia.

6. The State Security Service of Georgia shall, before 1 September 2015, create the relevant commission (commissions) which shall ensure the recording and inventorying, in accordance with the legislation of Georgia, of the property transferred/received from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (including immovable property, the material and technical base and other property) and of service documentation (including the relevant archival material and other documentation).

7. In the state procurement contracts concluded in 2015 by the State Security Agency (Department) and the Counter-Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the State Security Service of Georgia shall be designated as the purchaser from 1 August 2015.

8. Before the issuance/adoption of the relevant legal acts, the activities of the State Security Service of Georgia shall be regulated by the relevant legal acts regulating the activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

9. The Minister of Justice of Georgia shall, before 1 August 2015, determine the investigative jurisdiction of the State Security Service of Georgia.

Article 52. Final provisions 1. This Law, except for Articles 1–50 of this Law, shall enter into force upon publication.🔗

2. Articles 1–50 of this Law shall enter into force from 1 August 2015.

3. From 1 August 2015, the Law of Georgia of 18 February 1998 "On the Public Security Service" (Parliamentary Gazette, No 11-12, 14.03.1998, p. 5) shall be declared invalid.

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili

Kutaisi,

8 July 2015

No 3921-rs