Georgian law enforcement officers arrest 44 individuals linked to “criminal underworld”

Georgian law enforcement officers on Wednesday arrested 44 individuals linked to the so-called criminal underworld.

Director of the central criminal police department Davit Kiknadze noted that charges were also brought against seven individuals - some already serving sentences in penitentiary institutions, while others charged in absentia.

He added that two of them were so-called “thieves-in-law” currently residing abroad.

“Officers of the Central Criminal Police Department and the Tbilisi Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in coordination with the General Prosecutor’s Office, carried out complex operational and investigative measures across the country over the past 24 hours. As a result, and based on a court ruling, 44 individuals linked to the criminal underworld were arrested. Charges were also brought against seven additional individuals, some of whom are currently held in penitentiary institutions, while others were charged in absentia. Among those charged are two so-called “thieves-in-law” residing abroad”, Kiknadze said.

As a result of covert investigative measures conducted pursuant to a court order, law enforcement officers established that individuals accused of criminal offenses organized so-called criminal disputes and issued so-called criminal “rulings”.

The detainees maintained contacts with representatives of the criminal underworld, including so-called “thieves-in-law” Levan Marghia and Nodar Shukakidze, who, for personal financial gain and in line with so-called criminal traditions, made decisions regarding financial and criminal disputes between citizens. Following these decisions, the parties were instructed to pay specific sums of money. In cases of failure to meet the imposed deadlines, victims were threatened with physical violence and death.

Investigative actions further established that members of the criminal group, acting according to a prearranged plan, moved across various districts of Tbilisi by car, identified specific individuals, and coerced them into activating loans via internet banking applications against their will. The funds were then unlawfully appropriated and transferred to accounts controlled by the group.

The investigation also revealed that the defendants periodically provided information to so-called “thieves-in-law” about individuals residing in Tbilisi who could be targeted for financial gain and extortion under the authority of the criminal underworld.

During searches conducted by law enforcement officers, mobile phones and computer equipment used by the defendants to communicate with each other and with so-called “thieves-in-law” residing abroad were seized as evidence. Firearms were also confiscated during the investigative measures.

The offences provide for penalties of up to 15 years of imprisonment.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues its active fight against organized crime, including activities connected to the so-called criminal underworld, in order to ensure the rule of law and the safety of every citizen in the country. Any individual involved in criminal activity, violating the law, or facilitating criminal operations will be held fully accountable under the law”, Kiknadze concluded.