The officers of the Main Division for Combating Organized Crime under the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs detained 6 people in Tbilisi as a result of complex investigative and operative activities held along with the Prosecutor General’s Office; two people were also charged in absentia.

They are charged with illegal restriction of freedom, extortion, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and non-reporting the crime.

The following persons have been detained for extortion and illegal restriction of freedom: A.M. (DoB 1987), M.M. (DoB 1978). Individuals detained for extortion, illegal deprivation of freedom and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition are: K.N. (DoB 1970) and G.L. (DoB 1972); The following persons have also been arrested for non-reporting the time: G.Ch. (DoB 1977), A.N.(DoB 1999), while 2 persons - R.Ch.(DoB 1969) and S.Ch. (DoB 1974) have been charged in absentia for the same crime.

The committed crime envisions from 4 to 15 years of imprisonment.

The investigation established that on the basis of the existing financial dispute, in order to facilitate the extortion of a large amount of property, K.N., G.L., A.M. and M.M. inflicted health damage to V.T. illegally restricted his freedom and threatened with violence.

The offenders verbally and physically assaulted V.T., and demanded GEL 51,000, otherwise threatened to use violence against him, owning to which he agreed to pay. The victim was released from illegal custody the next day, on the condition to bring promised amount of cash.

A.N., G.Ch., R.Ch. And S.Ch. witnessed the commission of serious and especially grave crimes committed against V.T. however, failed to report to the police.

The law enforcers seized cell phones and illegal firearms as evidence during search activities held in detainees’ residential places.

Investigation is in progress on the facts of illegal restriction of freedom, extortion, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and non-reporting the crime, under Articles 181, 237, 143 and 376 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.