The officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, as a result of police operations conducted in Tbilisi and the regions over the past 24 hours, have arrested 45 individuals with ties to the “criminal underworld,” Tbilisi Police Department Director Vazha Siradze said at a briefing.

In addition, he said, 15 more individuals will be charged – some in prison, some in absentia, including 3 so-called “thieves in law”.

“The officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, as a result of police operations conducted in Tbilisi and the regions over the past 24 hours, have arrested 45 individuals with ties to the “criminal underworld.” Also, 15 more individuals will be charged – some in prison, some in absentia, including 3 so-called “thieves in law”.

They are accused of “membership in a criminal underworld”, “support for the activities of a criminal underworld” and “legal theft”.

As a result of intensive undercover investigative actions conducted by law enforcement officers, based on a judge’s ruling, it was established that so-called criminal disputes were being organized with the participation of persons accused of criminal offenses and the disputing parties, in which “thieves in law” living abroad - Sulkhan Japaridze (Tvalchrelidze) nicknamed “Sukho” and Petre Bakradze nicknamed “Paata Tbiliski” participated. They were involved in resolving financial disputes between citizens and made decisions in favor of one of the parties, in accordance with the so-called criminal traditions.

The investigation also establishes that the so-called “thief in law” Revaz Ubilava, nicknamed “Jvarski,” with the help of his family members – his mother and brother – organized thefts. The police arrested both of them along with other individuals.

As a result of searching the defendants’ personal and residential homes, law enforcement officers seized computer equipment and mobile phones as evidence, through which they communicated with each other and with criminal authorities and so-called “thieves in law” abroad. The police also seized various types of narcotics.

The investigation is underway under Article 223 Prima, Parts 1 and 2, Article 223 Tertia, Part 2, and Article 223 Quarta, Part 1, of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provides for imprisonment for a term of up to 15 years.

The main priority for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia is the systemic fight against organized crime, especially criminal activities related to the so-called "criminal underworld". In order to protect public order and security to the maximum extent possible, all those who commit criminal acts will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Our main task is to protect the security of each of our citizens," noted Vazha Siradze.