“Officers of the Tbilisi Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) have detained 13 individuals affiliated with various neo-Nazi groupings and adherents of fascist ideology, following a large-scale coordinated police operation in the capital,” announced the Head of the Tbilisi Police Department, Vazha Siradze, at a briefing.

According to Siradze, those detained had subjected victims of various ages to physical and psychological violence of exceptional brutality. Seven of those arrested are minors.

“In addition, within the framework of the ongoing criminal investigation into the same case, four further individuals already serving sentences in penitentiary institutions for analogous offences are to face additional charges, for organising and participating in group violence, based on evidence gathered.

As a result of investigative activities conducted over several months, law enforcement established that members of these violent groupings identified themselves as neo-Nazis and were guided by fascist ideology.

In pursuit of notoriety, the promotion of fascist ideology, and the expansion of influence within neo-Nazi networks, they displayed extreme radicalism towards their victims and subjected targets to violence of exceptional cruelty, using various blunt and sharp instruments, including batons and knuckledusters. They were particularly brutal towards those who did not share their fascist ideology.

Furthermore, during attacks on victims, members of the radical groupings robbed them and extorted sums of money.

Members of the groupings filmed the violence, torture, degrading treatment, and physical and psychological abuse inflicted upon their victims using mobile phones and deliberately published the material across various online platforms.

It is noteworthy that, based on conflicts of interest and internal disputes, members of different neo-Nazi groupings also turned on one another with equal savagery, as confirmed by evidence gathered in the course of the ongoing investigation.

As a result of these violent acts, nearly ten individuals have been recognised as victims, including two minors.

During searches of the accused’s personal belongings and residential premises, the following were seized: firearms, sound-signal weapons and bladed weapons belonging to them, items bearing Nazi symbols, mobile phones, masks, and various electronic equipment.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 144-prime, 225, 178, 181 and 236 of the Criminal Code, covering the torture of a minor committed by a group with premeditation, the unlawful acquisition, storage and carrying of firearms, the organisation of violence, robbery and extortion, offences carrying a custodial sentence of up to 15 years.

We remind the public that several leaders of radical fascist groupings are already serving sentences in penitentiary institutions on analogous charges, having been detained by law enforcement several months ago. Together with them, a further 24 members of various neo-Nazi groupings are also in custody.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues its campaign against violent groupings espousing fascist ideology. We once again call on every member of the public to report immediately, even the slightest sign of such criminal activity, so that we may prevent the brutal treatment of minors and the spread of such ideology among young people.

I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to every officer of the Tbilisi Police Department for the successful conduct of this operation,” said Vazha Siradze.