Over the past 24 hours, 44 individuals linked to the so-called “thieves’ world” were detained across the country based on court orders, David Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, announced at a briefing. Another seven individuals have been charged, some in absentia, while others are currently held in penitentiary institutions.
“As a result of covert investigative actions carried out by law enforcement based on a court order, it was established that the defendants organized so-called ‘thieves’ showdowns’ and handed down so-called ‘thieves’ decisions’.
The detainees communicated with members of the criminal underworld, including the so-called ‘thieves-in-law’ Levan Margia and Nodar Shukakidze. For personal gain and in accordance with the ‘thieves’ code’ (criminal subculture principles), these individuals resolved financial and criminal disputes between citizens, subsequently ordering parties to pay specific sums. In cases of non-compliance with deadlines, they threatened physical violence and murder.
Investigations also revealed that members of the criminal group followed a premeditated plan, traveling by car through various districts of Tbilisi to target specific individuals. They forced victims against their will to take out loans via online banking, after which they illegally misappropriated large sums of money by transferring them to their own accounts.
The investigation also established that the defendants periodically provided ‘thieves-in-law’ with information about residents of Tbilisi who could be targeted for material gain or extortion in the name of the ‘thieves’ world’.
During searches, law enforcement seized mobile phones and computer equipment used by the defendants to communicate with each other and with ‘thieves-in-law’ residing abroad. Police also seized firearms during the investigative operations.
The investigation is being conducted under Articles 223-prima, 223-tertia, 223-quarta, and 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison,” David Kiknadze stated.
