As a result of complex operational measures and investigative actions carried out by the employees of the Main Division for Combating Organized Crime under the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as Imereti and Kakheti Police Departments, together with the Prosecutor General’s Office, on the basis of the relevant Court decision - in Tbilisi, Shida Kartli, Adjara, Guria, Imereti and Kakheti regions, 20 people have been detained, and 4 people charged in absentia, including 2 “thieves in law”.
The following persons are detained on charges of “Membership of the Thieves’ World”, “supporting the activities of Thieves’ World”, “appealing to Thieves’ World” and “appealing to a member of the Thieves’ World”: G.D., born in 1984 nicknamed "Kokoshka", born in 1984 G.M. nicknamed "Parekhela", born in 1973 G.G. nicknamed "Utsalko", born in 1997 T.G. nicknamed "Belesha", born in 1968 G.Q. nicknamed "Jaga", born in 1998 G.Z. nicknamed "Chinela", born in 1985 I.D. nicknamed "Stalina", born in 2006 L.K. nicknamed "Pokre", born in 1998 M.M., born in 1984 N.I., born in 1999 T.M., born in 2000 G.Gh., born in 1995 I.B., born in 1972 A.R., born in 1966 M.Z., born in 1969 Z.Z., born in 1959 M.Ch., born in 1980 I.K., born in 1982 M.M. and born in 1974 V.L.
As for Tengiz Khoperia, nicknamed "Chinka" and Irakli Lezhava, nicknamed "Lazare", who reside abroad, born in 1970, they were charged in absentia for being a “Thief in Law”, while M.B., born in 1981, was charged with "membership of a criminal world". E.M., born in 1993, who is wanted by Interpol, was charged with "membership of the criminal world" and extortion. The committed crimes envision up to 15 years in prison.
As a result of intensive undercover investigative actions conducted by law enforcement officers based on relevant Court decision, it was established that individuals accused of criminal offenses were involved in resolving financial disputes between citizens for personal gain.
The investigation also established that so-called criminal skirmishes were organized on the territory of Georgia and Turkey with the participation of the defendants and opposing parties, in which “thieves in law” living abroad - Tengiz Khoperia nicknamed “Chinka” and Irakli Lezhava nicknamed “Lazare” – were involved. It was also established that the defendants, in accordance with the so-called thieves’ traditions, made decisions and imposed on one of the disputing parties to pay certain amount of money to the other side, as well as to those involved in resolving the financial conflict. In case of violation specific deadlines, certain individuals were threatened with physical punishment and liquidation.
As a result of the personal search and search activities held in their residential places, the police seized computer equipment and mobile phones as evidence, through which they communicated with each other, with criminal authorities and "thieves in law" residing abroad.
As a result of the investigative actions, the police also seized various types of narcotics and firearms.
The investigation is in progress under Article 223 (1), Part I, Article 223 (1), Part II, Article 223 (3), Part II, Article 223 (4), Part I, and Article 181, Part II of the Criminal Code of Georgia.
