Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, together with officers of the State Security Service, conducted operational-search and investigative measures in Adjara during the past night, as a result of which 72 individuals connected to the so-called “criminal underworld” were detained, Minister of Internal Affairs Geka Geladze stated at a briefing.
According to the minister, charges have also been brought against 5 more individuals — some of them are in penitentiary institutions, while others have been charged in absentia, including a so-called “thief-in-law.”
“The detainees are charged with membership in the ‘criminal underworld,’ supporting the activities of the ‘criminal underworld,’ participation in criminal gatherings, обращения to a member of the ‘criminal underworld,’ and engaging in criminal activities.”
As a result of covert investigative actions carried out intensively by law enforcement, it was established that the accused organized criminal showdowns and issued so-called “criminal decisions.”

During these gatherings and disputes, the detainees contacted representatives of the criminal underworld, including a “thief-in-law,” Aslan Kobuladze, and for personal gain, in accordance with so-called criminal rules, made decisions on financial and other criminal disputes between citizens, after which the parties were obliged to pay money. In case of missing deadlines, they threatened physical violence and death.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 223¹ (parts 1 and 2), 223³ (part 2), 223², and 223⁴ (part 1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which предусматривает up to 15 years of imprisonment.

“I would like to thank all employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service, as well as the prosecutors who supervised the investigation, for their significant contribution to the successful implementation of this operation.

Ensuring maximum security and public order in the country makes the fight against organized crime, especially the so-called ‘criminal underworld,’ a top priority for Georgian law enforcement. In this direction, we act and will continue to act firmly, strictly, and without any compromise.

Any person who violates the law and is involved in criminal activity will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We will continue our active fight against organized crime to ensure that the law and the safety of every citizen are protected,” Geka Geladze stated.