Law-enforcement officers have detained 34 individuals on charges of membership in the so-called “thieves’ world”, supporting its activities, and addressing a “thief-in-law”. Charges have been filed in absentia against several others.

As Deputy Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze announced at the Interior Ministry briefing, one suspect opened fire on arriving special-forces officers during the operation; he was killed in return fire.

Darakhvelidze further clarified that, within the same operation, Davit Chubinidze — head of security for accused murderer Davit Mikadze — has also been detained. According to the Deputy Minister, Chubinidze and Mikadze, acting in prior collusion, jointly seized five firearms registered to Vakhtang Kobiashvili and illegally sold one of them to a third party.

“Following large-scale measures on five criminal cases, the Interior Ministry has arrested 34 persons for membership in the ‘thieves’ world’, supporting its activities, and addressing a ‘thief-in-law’. Charges have been brought in absentia against seven others, including two inmates, four persons abroad, and one ‘thief-in-law’.

In the village of Kabali, Lagodekhi district, 1973-born Mirza Aliev — subject to a judicial arrest warrant — opened intensive fire on special-forces officers. One officer sustained a severe chest wound. Aliev was neutralised on the spot by return fire.

The nationwide simultaneous raids were conducted by the Central Criminal Police, Tbilisi, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Special Tasks departments.

The offences carry up to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Months of covert investigation and evidence gathered by police show that the detained ‘thieves’ world’ members and supporters mediated citizens’ financial disputes, contacted ‘thieves-in-law’ abroad, received instructions and carried them out. So-called ‘thieves’ hearings’ were organised with the participation of the accused and disputing parties; violators were fined and threatened with death. Criminal authority Elmuras Mamedov played a prominent role in these activities.

Searches of the suspects’ homes and persons yielded computers, mobile phones used to contact each other and ‘thieves-in-law’ abroad, narcotic substances, firearms and large sums of cash.

The investigation proceeds under Articles 223⁴¹, 223³², 223¹¹ & ², as well as Articles 109 and 181 of the Georgian Criminal Code.

Within the same complex operation, Tbilisi Police detained Davit Chubinidze, head of Davit Mikadze’s security detail. He is investigated under Article 236⁶ and Article 237³. In September 2021, Chubinidze and Mikadze jointly seized five firearms registered to Vakhtang Kobiashvili and illegally sold one to a third party. Chubinidze is detained as an accused; charges against Mikadze will be filed in absentia.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia will continue its uncompromising fight against organised crime and, regardless of any resistance, ensure that criminality in our country is reduced to a historic minimum,” Darakhvelidze stated.

The information is disseminated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.