Following extensive operations conducted by officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) across five criminal cases, a total of 34 individuals have been apprehended on charges related to alleged membership of, support for, or solicitation from the so-called “criminal underworld”. Additionally, seven persons, including two in detention facilities and four abroad, along with one “thief in law”, have been charged in absentia.

According to the Interior Ministry, during the operation in the village of Kabali, Lagodekhi district, Mirza Aliyev, born in 1973 and subject to a court order for his arrest, opened fire on Special Task Force officers.

“In the ensuing confrontation, one of the officers was seriously wounded in the chest. Police returned fire, resulting in Mirza Aliyev being shot dead on the spot. The operation was conducted simultaneously by officers from the Central Criminal Police, Tbilisi, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Special Tasks Departments across the country,” the Ministry stated.

According to the Ministry of Interior, these crimes carry a sentence of up to 15 years’ imprisonment. Evidence gathered over several months of undercover investigations indicates that the detained individuals, alleged members or supporters of the ‘criminal underworld’, were involved in resolving financial disputes among citizens, maintaining contact with ‘thieves in law’ abroad, and executing various assignments received from them.

“It has also been established that organised gatherings known as “thieves’ meetings” were held with the participation of the defendants and other parties, during which violators were fined or threatened with death. Notably, the criminal authority Elmuraz Mamedov was actively involved in these activities and played a prominent role. During searches of the personal and residential premises of the suspects, law enforcement officials seized computers and mobile phones used for communication with each other and with “thieves in law” abroad. Narcotics, firearms, and a substantial sum of money were also confiscated,” the Ministry has stated.

According to MIA, the investigation is ongoing under Articles 223 (Parts 1 and 2), 109, and 181 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. As part of the same operation, officers from Tbilisi City Police detained Davit Mikadze’s security chief, Davit Chubinidze, who is under investigation under Articles 236 (Part 6) and 237 (Part 3). It has been established that Chubinidze and Mikadze, acting in concert, clandestinely acquired five firearms registered to Vakhtang Kobiashvili in September 2021, one of which was used unlawfully against a third party. Chubinidze has been detained as a suspect, while Mikadze faces charges in absentia.

“The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs will continue its relentless fight against organised crime. Despite any opposition, we are committed to reducing crime in our country to a historic minimum,” Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze reaffirmed.