As a result of complex operational measures and investigative actions carried out across the country within the last 24 hours, employees of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with the Prosecutor General`s Office, have detained 29 people connected to the "criminal world", and 3 people will be charged in absentia, including one "thief in law" residing abroad. Davit Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, said at today’s briefing.

"The investigation established that the persons accused of criminal offenses were actively involved in resolving financial disputes between citizens, in order to obtain personal material benefits.

In order to strengthen criminal influence and exert psychological pressure on the disputing parties, the so-called "thief in law", Besik Japaridze, who resides abroad, was involved in the process. The defendants, in agreement with the criminal authority residing abroad, periodically organized so-called thieves` skirmishes with the disputing parties.

In the course of remote communication and personal meetings, Besik Japaridze made final decisions in accordance with the rules of the criminal world and the so-called "thieves` traditions", on the basis of which one of the parties was obliged to pay a substantial amount of money in favor of the other.

The investigation also established that in case of failure to fulfill the obligations imposed or violation of specific deadlines, the defendants threatened citizens and their family members with physical punishment, damage to health and death.

As a result of the search conducted by law enforcement officers, the defendants` mobile phones and computer equipment were seized as evidence, through which they communicated with each other and with the so-called criminal authority abroad. Herewith, as a result of the search, the police seized illegally acquired firearms and ammunition as evidence.

The investigation is underway under Articles 223-1, 223-3, 223 -4and 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, envisioning the imprisonment for a term of up to 15 years.

One of the main priorities for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia is the fight against organized crime, including criminal activity related to the so-called criminal world, and any person involved in any way in the aforementioned criminal scheme, will be punished to the fullest extent of the law".