Foreign nationals arrested in Batumi for alleged extortion scheme at cafe-bar

In Batumi, western Georgia, the City Division of the Ajara Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs detained two foreign nationals, identified as S.Ch. (born in 1975) and H.E. (born in 1976), following extensive operational and investigative efforts, the body reported on Wednesday. 

They stand accused of engaging in group extortion, with the offense carrying a penalty of imprisonment ranging from 4 to 7 years.

According to the investigation, the suspects, employed at a cafe-bar in Batumi, purportedly coerced guests, who were foreign nationals, into paying exorbitant sums totaling 267,000 Turkish liras and 5,700 GEL for their orders, resorting to violence and threats of harm.