Seven arrested in Georgia over gang attacks, robbery and extortion

Seven people have been arrested in Georgia on suspicion of organising group violence, robbery and extortion, the Interior Ministry’s Central Criminal Police Department director, Davit Kiknadze, said on Thursday.

The arrests followed operational and investigative measures conducted by the Central Criminal Police Department in cooperation with the Prosecutor General’s Office, he said.

Investigators believed one of the suspects formed an organised criminal group whose members planned attacks on members of the public to assault them and unlawfully obtain money and valuables.

The suspects allegedly created fake social media profiles using women’s names to contact men and arrange meetings at preselected locations. When the men arrived, they were allegedly attacked by groups of assailants.

Kiknadze said the suspects threatened victims with knives and other sharp objects, verbally abused and physically assaulted them, and stole their money and personal belongings.

The group allegedly filmed the assaults and humiliation of victims on mobile phones and shared the footage on social media. Investigators said the suspects then used the videos to exert psychological pressure on the victims and extort money from them.

During searches, law enforcement officers seized knives and other bladed weapons, masks, tactical equipment, mobile phones and computer equipment as evidence, Kiknadze said.

The charges carry prison sentences of up to 12 years.