Prosecutor’s Office charges 43 in crackdown on ‘thieves-in-law’ network

Authorities on Friday said the members of Georgia’s criminal underworld organized illegal mediations, extorted money, and coordinated prison punishments under the direction of “thieves-in-law.”

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has charged 43 individuals with participating in or supporting the activities of the so-called “thieves-in-law” criminal network. The charges include membership in a criminal organization, supporting criminal activities, and appealing to a “thief-in-law.”

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the investigation revealed that members of the “thieves’ world, together with their supporters, regularly organized so-called “criminal arbitrations”  at the request of disputing parties - both independently and under instructions from “thieves-in-law” based abroad. These gatherings were used to settle financial disputes and extort money from citizens.

Investigators also determined that one “thief-in-law” instructed his associates to carry out a “criminal verdict” inside a penitentiary facility against an inmate, which involved punitive actions against that prisoner.

The investigation further found that Mirza Aliev, who was later killed during a special operation after opening fire on law enforcement officers, had previously approached members of the criminal hierarchy to negotiate a reduction in payments owed to the criminal “common fund.”

To resolve the issue, “criminal meetings” were held involving high-ranking members of the network. During this period, Aliev reportedly provided financial support to an imprisoned criminal authority, after which a settlement was reached. In return, Aliev paid approximately USD 6,000 to members of the “thieves’ world.”

Out of the 43 defendants, 34 were arrested during coordinated operations, six were charged in absentia, and three were charged while already in detention.

The charges include membership in a criminal organization, being a “thief-in-law,” supporting criminal activity, contacting a criminal authority, and illegal possession of firearms - offenses punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

At the Prosecutor’s Office’s request, courts have imposed pre-trial detention on several defendants, while one individual who cooperated with investigators was granted bail set at 3,000 GEL. The court will soon decide on pre-trial measures for the remaining suspects.