According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 3 individuals have been arrested on charges of trafficking minors.

The agency reports that the investigation established that the accused, using psychological violence, forced their underage children to beg for alms and sell flowers in Batumi, tourist areas, and other locations. It was also established that the accused appropriated the collected money.

“Employees of the Central Criminal Police Department, together with the General Prosecutor’s Office, arrested 3 individuals on charges of trafficking minors as a result of police operations conducted on the basis of a judge’s ruling. Among the detainees are both Georgian and foreign citizens.

Evidence obtained by law enforcement in this criminal case establishes that the accused developed a trafficking scheme for material gain, involving their own underage children.

The investigation establishes that the accused, using psychological violence, forced their underage children to beg for alms and sell flowers in Batumi, tourist areas, and other territories. It was also established that the accused appropriated the collected funds.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers obtained multiple pieces of evidence confirming these facts through covert investigative actions conducted on the basis of a judge’s ruling.

At this stage, the victimized minors have been placed in state care centers and their health is not in danger.

The investigation is ongoing under Article 143² (Parts 2 and 3) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provides for imprisonment of up to 17 years.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues intensive police preventive measures against various categories of crime, including organized crime,” the information released by the MIA states.