Police arrest 29 connected to organised crime; three face in absentia charges, including one “thief-in-law”

“In a coordinated national operation over the last 24 hours, officers from the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), alongside the General Prosecutor’s Office, have arrested 29 individuals connected to the ‘Thieves’ World’ under judicial warrants. A further three individuals are facing charges in absentia, including an overseas-based ‘thief-in-law’ (criminal kingpin),” Davit Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, announced at a press briefing.

According to the director, the investigation revealed that the suspects actively intervened in financial disputes between citizens to extort money for personal material gain.

“To strengthen their criminal influence and exert psychological pressure on the disputing parties, the suspects involved Besik Japaridze, a so-called ‘thief-in-law’ residing abroad. In coordination with Japaridze, the defendants periodically organised underworld arbitration meetings, known as ‘thieves’ tribunals,’ with the disputing parties.

Through remote communication and face-to-face meetings, Besik Japaridze made final rulings in accordance with the codes and traditions of the criminal underworld. Based on these rulings, one party would be ordered to pay substantial sums of money to the other.

The investigation also established that if these imposed obligations were not met or deadlines were missed, the defendants threatened citizens and their families with physical violence, severe injury, and death,” Davit Kiknadze stated.

The director further noted that police searches yielded significant evidence, including mobile phones and computer equipment used by the suspects to communicate with each other and the foreign-based gang leader.

“During the searches, law enforcement officers also seized illegally acquired firearms and ammunition.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 223 (prima, tertia, quarta) and 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carry penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Combating organised crime, specifically criminal activities linked to the ‘thieves’ world’, remains one of the highest priorities for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. Any individual found to be involved in these criminal schemes in any capacity will face the full force of the law,” Davit Kiknadze concluded.