Three arrested in western Georgia over alleged plot to carry out murder

Three people have been arrested in Georgia’s western Guria region on suspicion of preparing the premeditated murder of a person under aggravating circumstances and membership of the so-called “thieves’ world”, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

A fourth suspect, an alleged “thief in law” currently abroad, is facing charges in absentia, the ministry said. 

The investigation found that two of the suspects allegedly planned the killing following a personal dispute and with a motive of revenge. Investigators said they contacted Aleksandre Kurasbediani, known as “Tsripa”, who is described by authorities as a “thief in law” living abroad, and agreed on the details of the planned attack, including its time and location.

The suspects allegedly recruited a person from Tbilisi to carry out the killing in Guria, promising financial assistance and protection in prison in the event of his arrest.

The group acquired firearms and an explosive device, monitored the intended victim’s movements, identified a suitable location for an ambush and prepared a plan to conceal the crime, the MIA press office noted.

Police intervened before the alleged plan could be carried out and arrested the three suspects on the basis of a court order.

Searches of the suspects and their homes resulted in the seizure of computer equipment and mobile phones which investigators said had been used to communicate with one another and with the alleged crime figure abroad. Firearms and ammunition were also seized.

The offences carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.