Georgian Police detain 72 individuals linked to criminal underworld
Photo: Screenshot from Video
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.
All News
09 May 2026, 15:15
Politics
Georgian President honours fallen soldiers on May 9 Victory Day
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Saturday congratulated citizens on May 9, marking Victory Day over fascism and the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
09 May 2026, 14:55
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: without Georgia’s WWII sacrifice, there would have been no EU or Europe Day
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday announced that he does not plan to attend an event organised by the European Union Delegation in Tbilisi on the occasion of Europe Day.
09 May 2026, 13:38
Politics
Georgian PM accuses United National Movement of standing for crushing media Freedom and human rights
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday asserted that true European values - specifically media freedom - are currently under threat from both European bureaucracy and “agent network” operating within Georgia.
09 May 2026, 12:57
Politics
Georgian PM says marking Europe Day on May 9 “symbolic”, expresses hope for return of Europe’s traditional principles to EU agenda
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said it is symbolic that Europe Day is celebrated on May 9, noting that the date marked the beginning of a new era in European history when humanism became the defining principle for Europe.
09 May 2026, 12:13
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker rejects calls to reinterpret May 9 commemorations
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday released a statement marking Victory Day over fascism, emphasising the historical significance of May 9 and honouring the memory of Georgian soldiers who fought in World War II.
09 May 2026, 12:04
Politics
Georgian PM marks 81st anniversary of victory over fascism
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday congratulated citizens on May 9 - Victory Day over fascism - and honoured the memory of those who perished in World War II.
08 May 2026, 21:58
Politics
NATO Sec Gen’s Special Representative praises Georgia’s contribution to the Alliance
Kevin Hamilton, NATO secretary general’s special representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, on Friday said the alliance has done “a great deal” for Georgia over the past three decades, while emphasising that Georgia has also made exceptional contributions to NATO.
08 May 2026, 21:50
Justice
Georgian State Security Service releases undercover footage in Giorgi Udzilauri espionage case
The Georgian state security service has released a portion of undercover video surveillance footage related to the case of Giorgi Udzilauri, a high-ranking official arrested on charges of espionage.
08 May 2026, 19:35
Foreign policy
Georgian FM says Diplomacy Academy will serve as country’s “intellectual shield”
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday said the establishment of the Diplomacy Academy was not merely an educational initiative, but an “intellectual shield” for the country and a strategic investment in its future.
08 May 2026, 19:29
Politics
Georgian Vice PM says respect for Georgia’s interests key in US, EU relations
Georgian vice prime minister and state minister for coordination of law enforcement agencies Mamuka Mdinaradze on Friday said relations with both the United States and the European Union should be based on one common principle - respect for Georgia’s national interests.
08 May 2026, 16:53
Politics
Georgian Vice PM urges partner countries to refrain from intelligence activities in Georgia
Georgian vice prime minister and state minister for coordination of law enforcement agencies Mamuka Mdinaradze on Friday warned representatives of foreign intelligence services, including those from partner and allied countries, against conducting activities in Georgia.
08 May 2026, 16:18
Politics
Georgian Vice PM warns against unfair approach, says Georgia’s sovereignty “at its strongest”
Georgian vice prime minister and state minister for coordination of law enforcement agencies Mamuka Mdinaradze on Friday said that Georgia recognises and values what he described as a “Christian, truly democratic, identity-respecting European culture” and a broader European approach to democracy, national identity, and governance standards.
08 May 2026, 16:06
Politics
Georgian PM thanks law enforcement for preventing four violent coup attempts
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that over the past four years there were five attempts to change the country’s constitutional order, four of which were violent, crediting law enforcement agencies for successfully preventing them.
08 May 2026, 15:51
Sport
Georgian PM calls Kvaratskhelia’s performance source of national pride after UEFA Champions league final qualification
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday congratulated Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on reaching the UEFA Champions League final for the second year in a row.
08 May 2026, 14:36
Foreign policy
Georgian FM, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State discuss prospects for further cooperation
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday met with US deputy assistant secretary of state Sonata Coulter to discuss Georgia-United States relations and the prospects for further cooperation.
08 May 2026, 14:33
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: Brussels and all capitals should clearly understand Georgia’s vision for future relations
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday said it was important not only for Brussels but for all European capitals to clearly understand how Georgia views its future relations with the European Union.
08 May 2026, 13:34
Society
Georgian President: National Wine Day celebrates Georgia’s identity and centuries-old heritage
Georgian president Mikekheil Kavelashvili on Friday said National Wine Day was a celebration of Georgia’s identity, cultural heritage, and centuries-old history that established the country as the birthplace of wine.
08 May 2026, 12:45
Society
Georgian PM: Georgia’s 8 000-year winemaking tradition shaped nation’s history and culture
Georgian wine is one of the most important symbols of the nation’s identity, and the continuous tradition of winemaking began on this land 8 000 years ago, significantly shaping the country’s history and culture, said on Friday Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze while addressing a conference dedicated to National Wine Day.
08 May 2026, 11:47
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker blasts EU over backing of radicalism in Georgia
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday sent a sharply critical letter to EU ambassador Paweł Herczyński on the occasion of Europe Day, accusing the European Union of deepening divisions with Georgia and straying from the founding principles of European unity and peace.
08 May 2026, 11:32
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official says developments in Georgia-US relations progressing “very logically” and in “extremely optimistic” direction
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Thursday said that developments in relations between Georgia and the United States are progressing “very logically” and in an “extremely optimistic” direction.