During an official briefing, Davit Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, announced that officers, in coordination with the General Prosecutor’s Office, have arrested 21 individuals linked to the so-called “Thieves’ World” over the past 24 hours. The intelligence-led operations were carried out under judicial warrants across Tbilisi, Shida Kartli, and Kvemo Kartli.

It was further noted during the briefing that nine additional individuals have been charged. Some are already serving sentences within the penitentiary system, while others face charges in absentia, including a notorious overseas-based criminal figure.

“As a result of intensive covert investigative measures carried out by law enforcement personnel acting on judicial warrants, it has been established that the suspects orchestrated criminal tribunals, colloquially known as ‘Thieves’ trials’, to resolve financial disputes. Elmuraz Mamedov, a high-ranking criminal figure based abroad, actively participated in these disputes.

Investigations also revealed that the overseas crime boss, Elmuraz Mamedov, maintained direct contact with associates in Georgia. Acting both for personal financial gain and on behalf of the crime boss in compliance with ‘Thievish codes’, these individuals ordered citizens to hand over large sums of cash from their legitimate businesses within strict deadlines.

In cases where these arbitrary deadlines were breached, victims were subjected to threats of severe physical violence or death,” the authorities detailed at the briefing.

Following searches conducted by law enforcement officers, mobile phones and computer equipment used by the suspects to communicate with one another and with the overseas criminal boss were seized as material evidence. Furthermore, during searches of the suspects’ residences, police seized over USD 62,000 in cash, suspected to have been collected for the illegal criminal fund, the Obshchak (thieves’ common fund), alongside vehicles owned by the defendants, ammunition, and firearms.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 223(1), 223(3), and 223(4) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carry maximum penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs remains committed to combating organised crime. Proactive operational measures and rigorous investigative actions will continue to identify, expose, and bring to justice any individuals associated with the ‘Thieves’ World’.”