16 members of a radical fascist group have been arrested, who were physically and psychologically abusing people of different ages with particular cruelty. Among those arrested, 10 are minors, - the Director of the Tbilisi Police Department, Vazha Siradze, said at a briefing.

According to him, the members of the groups were taking photos and videos of the violence, degrading acts, and physical and psychological pressure inflicted on the victims with their mobile phones and publishing them on various Internet platforms.

“Employees of the Tbilisi Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs today arrested 16 members of radical fascist groups across the country, who were physically and psychologically violent towards people of different ages with particular cruelty. Among those arrested, 10 are minors.

A months-long investigation into the criminal case conducted by law enforcement officers revealed that members of the violent groups called themselves neo-Nazis and were guided by fascist ideology. In order to increase their influence and gain recognition, they displayed a radical attitude towards their victims and, with particular cruelty, physically abused those who did not agree with their ideology.

Members of the groups took photos and videos of the violence, degrading acts, and physical and psychological pressure inflicted on the victims with their mobile phones and posted them on various Internet platforms.

As a result of the above-mentioned violent acts, more than ten people, including 4 minors, have been affected. During the search of the personal and residential homes of the accused, their mobile phones, masks, various electronic equipment, Nazi symbols, sound and cold weapons were seized.

The investigation into the facts is underway under Article 144-eprima, Part 2, Subparagraph “G” and Part 3, Subparagraph “B” of the same Article of the Criminal Code, which implies inhuman treatment committed by a group against a minor with prior knowledge and provides for imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years.

We would like to remind the public that two leaders of radical fascist groups - Levan Abesadze and Davit Japarov - are already serving sentences in a penitentiary institution on similar charges. They were arrested a few months ago. Seven more members of the groups were also arrested with them. The investigation established that other members of the aforementioned ideological groups continued their violent actions, which was confirmed by the evidence obtained during the ongoing investigation of the case.

Investigative actions in the criminal case are continuing in an intensive mode, in order to identify other individuals associated with violent groups with fascist ideology and bring them to criminal responsibility, and we call on each member of the public to immediately report to us if there are elementary signs of such crimes, in order to prevent cruel treatment of minors and the spread of such ideology among young people.

I would like to thank each employee of the Tbilisi City Police for the successfully conducted police action,” Siradze noted.