Georgian Police detain 72 individuals linked to criminal underworld

Georgian law enforcement officers on Tuesday detained 72 individuals linked to the so-called criminal underworld, while charges would be brought against five more individuals, said on Tuesday Georgian interior minister Geka Geladze.

Officers of the Interior Ministry, together with the State Security Service, carried out operational and investigative activities in the Adjara region overnight.

Geladze noted that the suspects were charged with membership in the criminal underworld, supporting the activities of the criminal underworld, participation in a criminal gathering, appealing to a member of the criminal underworld, and the status of “thief-in-law”.

“Intensive covert investigative actions conducted by law enforcement revealed that the individuals accused of criminal offenses arranged the so-called criminal disputes and issued so-called ‘thieves’ decisions’”, the minister said.

According to the investigation, during these criminal meetings and disputes, the detainees contacted representatives of the criminal underworld, including the so-called “thief-in-law” Aslan Kobuladze. For personal gain and in accordance with the so-called criminal rules, they made decisions on financial and other criminal disputes between citizens and then imposed payments on the parties involved.

The minister added that in cases of failing to meet the imposed deadlines, the suspects threatened individuals with physical violence and death.

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.

Geladze thanked the officers of the Interior Ministry and the State Security Service, as well as prosecutors overseeing the investigation, for their contribution to the successful implementation of the operation.

He stressed that combating organised crime, particularly crimes linked to the so-called criminal underworld, remained one of the main priorities for Georgian law enforcement.

“Anyone who breaks the law and is involved in criminal activity will be held fully accountable. We will continue our active fight against organised crime to ensure the rule of law and the safety of every citizen”, the minister concluded.