Georgian police arrest 80 over ties to criminal underworld, charges filed against 14 more, including one ‘thief-in-law’

Georgian law enforcement authorities on Saturday arrested 80 people in a large-scale operation targeting individuals allegedly linked to the so-called “thieves’ underworld”, while 14 others are set to face charges, including one alleged “thief in law” who is currently abroad.

The operation was carried out in Tbilisi and various regions over the past 24 hours by officers of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in cooperation with the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Davit Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, noted that an investigation, including covert investigative measures authorised by a court, established that individuals allegedly associated with “thief in law” Giorgi Gogoladze systematically organised so-called “thieves’ disputes” and made decisions based on criminal traditions.

“An intensive investigation conducted by law enforcement officers, including covert investigative measures carried out on the basis of a court ruling, established that members of the entourage of the so-called thief in law Giorgi Gogoladze, who is abroad, systematically organised so-called thieves’ disputes and made decisions according to so-called thieves’ traditions. Specifically, at different times and locations, the defendants considered financial disputes between parties and, as a result of so-called thieves’ disputes, required one of the parties involved to pay a certain amount of money to the other party, as well as for their own benefit”, he said.

He emphasised investigators had established that individuals who failed to meet the imposed financial obligations or deadlines were allegedly threatened with physical violence or death.

“In cases where the imposed obligation was not fulfilled or the specified deadline was missed, they threatened citizens with physical violence and death. As a result of searches of the defendants, their homes and vehicles, law enforcement officers seized computer equipment and mobile phones as evidence, which the defendants allegedly used to communicate with one another and with the so-called thief in law abroad. Firearms, money and narcotic substances were also seized during the searches”, he noted.

The offences carry prison sentences of up to 15 years.

Kiknadze further said it would continue its efforts to combat organised crime, particularly the so-called thieves’ underworld.

“Within the powers granted to it by law, the ministry will take all relevant measures to identify and prosecute individuals who participate in the activities of the so-called thieves’ underworld, facilitate such activities, and attempt to exert pressure on citizens and obtain financial benefits through criminal means”, Kiknadze concluded.