Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has reported that 80 individuals linked to the so-called “thieves’ world” were detained as a result of a large-scale special operation conducted over the past 24 hours.
An additional 14 individuals will face charges: some while in penitentiary institutions, and others in absentia. Among them is a so-called “thief-in-law” based abroad.
At a special briefing at the Ministry of Internal Affairs on October 3, David Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, stated that members of the inner circle of Giorgi Gogoladze, a “thief-in-law” residing abroad, acted in his name and under his patronage to “systematically stage so-called thieves’ arbitrations and make decisions in accordance with so-called thieves’ traditions.”
At various times and in different locations, the accused mediated financial disputes between opposing parties and, based on the outcomes of these so-called “thieves’ arbitrations,” ordered one party to pay a specific sum of money to their opponent, as well as to the arbiters themselves. In the event of non-compliance with the assigned obligations or a breach of the set deadline, citizens were threatened with physical violence and death.
During the searches, authorities seized firearms, cash, narcotics, computer equipment, and mobile phones used by the accused to maintain contact with one another and with the abroad-based so-called “thief-in-law.”
The investigation is being conducted under Articles 223 Prima, 223 Tertia, 223 Quater, and 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carry penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.