Georgian Police detain 29 individuals linked to criminal underworld

Georgian law enforcement officers on Wednesday detained 29 individuals linked to the so-called criminal underworld, with charges to be filed in absentia against three others, including a “thief in law” living abroad.

Officers of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Interior Ministry, together with the Prosecutor General's Office, carried out complex operational and investigative activities across the country in the last 24 hours.

Speaking at a briefing, Davit Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, noted that suspects were actively involved in resolving financial disputes between citizens in order to obtain personal material benefits.

“In the said process, in order to strengthen criminal influence and exert psychological pressure on the disputing parties, the so-called “thief in law” Besik Japaridze, residing abroad, was involved. The defendants, in agreement with the criminal authority residing abroad, periodically organised so-called thieves’ disputes with the disputing parties”, Kiknadze said.

“During remote communication and personal meetings, Besik Japaridze made final decisions in accordance with the rules of the criminal world and the so-called “thieves’ traditions,” on the basis of which one of the parties was required to pay a substantial amount in favor of the other”, he continued.

As Kiknadze noted, in case of failure to fulfill the obligations imposed or violation of specific deadlines, the defendants threatened citizens and their family members with physical violence, harm to health, and death.
“As a result of the search conducted by law enforcement officers, the defendants' mobile phones and computer equipment, through which they communicated with each other and with the so-called criminal authority living abroad, were seized as evidence. Also, as a result of the search, the police seized illegally acquired firearms and ammunition as evidence”, he added.

The investigation is underway under several articles of the Criminal Code of Georgia related to organised crime, which carry a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

“One of the top priorities for the Georgian Interior Ministry is the fight against organised crime, including criminal activities related to the so-called [criminal] underworld, and any person who is involved in this criminal scheme in any way will be punished to the fullest extent of the law”, Kiknadze concluded.