The officers of Imereti, Shida Kartli and Adjara Divisions of the Central Criminal Police Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs along with the General Prosecutor’s Office, as a result of complex, special-operation held simultaneously in Tbilisi, Tsageri, Khashuri and Batumi detained 13 persons for membership of the “Criminal World”, contacting members of the “Criminal World”, supporting the “Criminal world as well as for illegal restriction of freedom and violence.

The following individuals have been taken under arrest on the basis of the respective court order: T.O. (DoB 1995) L.Sh. (DoB 1997) several times convicted in past G.D. (DoB 1989) Z.T. (DoB 1958) previously convicted M.G. (DoB 1986) previously convicted I.N. (DoB 1991) N.O. (DoB 1994) Z.T. (DoB 1980) previously convicted B.Sh. (DoB 1978) G.B. (DoB 1990) K.B. (DoB 1968), G.B. (DoB 1987) and I.B. (DoB 1970).

T.O, L.Sh, and G.D. are accused of membership of the “Criminal World” illegal restriction of freedom and violence, while M.G. and Z.T. are charged for membership of the “Criminal World”; N.O, Z.T, B.Sh, K.B, G.B, and I.N for membership and contacting of the “Criminal World”, while G.B. and I.B. for membership of the “Criminal World”, contacting and supporting of the “Criminal World”.

Committed crime envisages from 3 to 10 years of imprisonment.

Investigation established that one of the Georgian businessman was lured into previously rented conspirational apartment by the members of the “Criminal World” in March of 2020, where the businessman was deprived of his freedom and contacted with the so called “Thief in Law” (residing abroad) through the mobile phone. Based on the decision of the “Thief in Law” businessman was forced to pay 7500 USD as ransom in exchange for his freedom and as a result of constant violence and pressure, was additionally obliged to pay 50 000 USD within 2 months.

As a result of operative and investigative activities held within the frames of the ongoing investigation it was also established that T.O. L.Sh. and G.D. were also involved in two other crime episodes. In particular, in March and April of 2020, the mentioned individuals have been involved in disputes regarding the sale of vehicles on the basis of appeals by the opposing parties. With the support of the “Thieves in Law” abroad, detainees organized criminal skirmish and obliged particular parties to pay certain amount of cash and used the received sums for supporting the “Criminal World” financially.

As a result of the search activities held by the law enforcers, three luxury vehicles have been seized as evidence as well as 16 000 USD, computer technic and detainees’ mobile phones applied for contacting “Thieves in Law” residing abroad.

Investigation is in progress on the fact of membership of the “Criminal World”, contacting, members of the “Criminal World”, supporting “Criminal World, illegal restriction of freedom and violence- crimes envisaged by the articles 2231 I part, 2233, II part, 2234, 143, III part and 126, I part of the Criminal Code of Georgia.