Employees of the Main Division for the fight against organized crime under the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, along with the General Prosecutor’s Office, as a result of complex operational measures and investigative actions, arrested 18 people in Tbilisi, Adjara, Guria, Samegrelo and Shida Kartli, based on the judge’s decision.

The following persons were detained for the membership of the “Thieves’ World”: M.C. (DoB 1966), E.K. (DoB 2002), D.I. (DoB 1970, nicknamed “Java”), G.D. (DoB 1994), I.A. (DoB 1978, nicknamed “Koto”), and G.N. (DoB 1960).

The following members were detained for supporting the activities of the “Thieves’ World”: N.G., (DoB 1991, nicknamed “Lope”, B.G., (DoB 1985), L.G. (DoB 1988), L.S. (DoB 1996), Sh.T. (DoB 1960, nicknamed “Khasiko”).

The following persons were detained for appesling to a “thief in law” and a member of the “Thieves’ World”: P.S., (DoB 1986), M.T. (DoB 1970), L.T. (DoB 1992), R.A. (DoB 1978) V. Kh. (DoB 1974, nicknamed “Bulala”), M.T. (DoB 1973), N.C. (DoB 1962).

The committed crimes envision up to 15 years of imprisonment.

As a result of an intensive investigation conducted by the law enforcement officers, including secret investigative actions based on the judge"s ruling, it was established that the defendants were in contact with "thieves in law" residing abroad in order to settle financial disputes between citizens and receive personal benefits. Under the instructions of the “thieves in law” Ruslan Gegechkor;, Tengiz Khoferia, Jeyran Kintsurashvili, Revaz Mliladze (nicknamed “Pitkina”) and Paata Bakradze, the so-called “criminal skirmishes” were organized, attended by the disputing parties.

The defendants at different times and places, in accordance with the thieves’ “traditions”, made decisions and obliged one of the parties to pay a certain amount of money to the other party, as well as to their own benefit. If they did not follow the instructions of the “thieves in law”, they were verbally and physically abused.

As a result of the personal search and search activities held in residential houses of the defendants, the police seized as evidence firearms, magazines, cartridges, narcotic drug – “marijuana”, cash, computer equipment and mobile phones, through which they communicated with each other and with the “Thieves in Law” abroad.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 223 (1), Part I, Article 223(3), Part II, Article 223 (4), Article I, Article 273 (1), and Article 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.