Officers of the Guria Police Department of Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, in cooperation with the Ozurgeti District Prosecutor’s Office, conducted joint operational measures and investigative actions, resulting in the detention of five individuals connected to the "criminal underworld" in Tbilisi, Ozurgeti, and the settlement of Ureki, based on a court ruling. This was reported by the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to the agency, the crimes carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Those detained for "membership in the criminal underworld" include G.Kh., born in 1991, known by the alias "Khoshto," and E.B., born in 1981, who has a prior criminal record and is known by the alias "Edo."
For "supporting the activities of the criminal underworld," L.R., born in 2000 and previously convicted, was detained.
For "seeking assistance from a member of the criminal underworld," K.B., born in 1977, and V.Ch., born in 1983, who has a history of multiple convictions, were detained.
As for M.Kh., born in 1984 and previously convicted multiple times, he was charged with "membership in the criminal underworld" while in a penitentiary facility.
During the investigation, which included months of covert investigative activities authorized by a court ruling, it was determined that the detainees were involved in the operations of the "criminal underworld," were in contact with so-called "thieves-in-law," and carried out their orders. Specifically, through "criminal disputes," intimidation, threats, the use of their criminal influence, and illegal actions, they sought to gain power, authority, and personal or other benefits in the Guria region, particularly in the settlement of Ureki and the village of Tskaltsminda in the Ozurgeti municipality.
During searches of the suspects' personal and residential properties, police seized mobile phones and narcotic substances as evidence.
The investigation is being conducted under Article 223-Prim, Part 1; Article 223-Tertia, Part 2; and Article 223-Quarta, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, according to the statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.