The group's members are on a list of unwanted persons of national security as they're branded as Satanists and therefore suspected of terrorism.
- Apr 17, 2018
AceShowbiz - Metal group Rotting Christ were detained in Georgia last week (ends April 13) on terrorism charges linked to their band name. The Greek rockers metal outfit Rotting Christ were attempting to leave an airport in Tbilisi on Thursday, April 12, when police swooped in and arrested the bandmates, according to a statement.
Frontman Sakis Tolis claims he and his bandmate brother Themis were ordered to hand over their passports and mobile phones, before they were escorted to "a prison cell" at the airport. "When we were demanding to be told the reason for this arrest, we were simply told this information would be 'confidential'," Sakis explains. "Our lawyers informed us later that we are on a list of unwanted persons of national security that branded us as Satanists and therefore suspects of terrorism."
"Without previous warning and no official reason, we found ourselves in jail, locked into a small and rather dirty cell and without being permitted any contact to the outside world or legal representation or our embassy for 12 hours (sic). Conditions were bad and no further information provided during this time."
The brothers were eventually released, with Sakis explaining to NME.com, "Luckily, only the names 'Tolis' were on the list and the other two band members started to work with the local promoter to extract us from prison and commence legal procedures. It took strong efforts and a complicated procedure to find a solution."
The band didn't let the drama affect their their planned gig in the country.
"Due to the hard work of the local promoter, who involved legal experts, journalists, and activists in Georgia, we were finally released," Sakis adds. "We are extremely grateful to everybody involved in this process... We would also like to thank all our Georgian metal brothers for their overwhelming support."
