According to Irakli Dondoladze, Deputy Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, as a result of operational measures and investigative actions conducted jointly by employees of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs and their Turkish counterparts, 12 individuals wanted by Turkish law enforcement authorities were detained.

He further stated that the detained individuals were wanted internationally by the Turkish police based on Interpol Red Notices issued over the past five years.

“We would like to inform the public about the police operation conducted across Georgia in the last 24 hours. As a result of operational measures and investigative actions carried out by employees of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs in collaboration with Turkish colleagues, 12 individuals wanted by Turkish law enforcement authorities were detained. All of them are citizens of the Republic of Turkey.

The detained individuals were wanted internationally by the Turkish police based on Interpol Red Notices issued over the past five years.

Investigations revealed that, of the 12 detained individuals, 8 entered Georgia before international wanted notices were issued against them, while 4 entered the country illegally, and relevant criminal procedures are underway in connection with this.

Among the detained are individuals accused of committing serious and particularly serious crimes, specifically: intentional murder under aggravating circumstances (including the murder of a minor), attempted murder, robbery, unlawful deprivation of liberty, intentional infliction of serious bodily harm, creating and participating in an organized criminal group, extortion, theft, illegal acquisition, storage, and carrying of firearms, drug-related crimes, document forgery, investment fraud, and 178 counts of misappropriation.

Additionally, during a personal search of one of the detained individuals, law enforcement officers seized a firearm and ammunition as evidence, which the Turkish citizen was illegally possessing.

It is noteworthy that the operation to locate and detain these wanted individuals was preceded by prolonged operational and search activities, planned with the involvement of employees from the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the State Security Service, as well as the Interpol Bureau of the Republic of Turkey, units of the Turkish National Police combating organized crime, and police and gendarmerie attachés of the Republic of Turkey in Georgia.

Currently, pre-extradition procedures as provided by law are underway for all 12 detained individuals.

We would also like to express our gratitude to our Turkish colleagues who are here with us today. We are bound by many years of close cooperation, and this successful joint police operation is a clear example of that.

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs will continue its uncompromising fight against organized crime to ensure the safety of every citizen,” Irakli Dondoladze stated.