Three Georgians arrested in Spain over organised burglary

Georgian and Spanish law enforcement officers have arrested three Georgian nationals in the Spanish city of Valencia as part of a joint operation targeting an alleged organised criminal group, Georgia's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, the suspects are accused of residential burglary, money laundering and membership of an organised criminal group. Police said efforts are continuing to locate and arrest a fourth suspected member.

The operation was carried out in cooperation with Spanish authorities and involved Georgia's police attaché in Spain.

Investigators allege that the group systematically targeted homes across Spain, selecting properties whose owners were absent before using specialised tools to gain entry and steal cash and other valuables.

Searches of the suspects, their vehicles and temporary residences led to the seizure of allegedly stolen property, large sums of cash and equipment believed to have been used to commit the offences, the ministry said.

The Interior Ministry said legal proceedings against the detained suspects are under way.

It added that Georgia continues to work closely with law enforcement agencies in European Union member states, as well as with Interpol and Europol, through its network of police attachés to combat organised crime.