Georgian Interior Ministry detains 30 individuals linked to “thieves-in-law” criminal network

The Georgian Interior Ministry on Friday announced that 30 individuals were arrested and charges were filed in absentia against two others for their involvement with the “thieves-in-law” criminal network.

Tornike Marsagishvili, the Head of the Anti-Trafficking and Illegal Migration Division of the Main Division for Combating Organised Crime of the Central Criminal Police Department, noted that the operation had been conducted overnight across Tbilisi, Imereti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and Kakheti regions by the Central Criminal Police Department’s Main Division for Combating Organised Crime, in cooperation with the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The arrests were made on the basis of a court warrant.

Marsagishvili further added that nineteen individuals had been detained for “appealing to a member of the thieves’ world”, seven for “supporting its activities”, and four for “membership in the thieves’ world”.

Charges had been filed against two alleged “thieves-in-law”, namely, Tengiz Khopheria, alias Chinka, and another individual identified as T.K.

“The investigation revealed that the accused were involved in resolving financial disputes between citizens for personal gain, organising so-called “criminal arbitrations”, and imposing decisions in favor of one party under criminal traditions. In cases of noncompliance, they allegedly threatened victims with violence or even death. Khopheria, currently abroad, also participated in such arbitrations”, he said.

During searches of the suspects’ homes and personal belongings, police seized firearms, ammunition, cash, and mobile phones, which were used to communicate with each other and with Georgian “thieves-in-law” abroad.

The crimes carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison under Articles 223-1, 223-2, 223-3, and 223-4 of Georgian Criminal Code.

“The uncompromising fight against organised crime, including the so-called ‘thieves’ world’, remains one of the key priorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs”, Marsagishvili concluded.