Eight charged in Georgia for criminal network membership

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has charged eight individuals with offenses related to “thieves’ world” activities, including so-called “thief-in-law” status, membership in the criminal network, and supporting its operations.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an investigation revealed that at the beginning of 2024, an individual supporting the “thieves’ world” opened an agricultural market in the village of Zeda Meskheti, Tskaltubo Municipality, under the instructions of “thieves-in-law” based abroad. Since the newly opened market could not compete with a similar market in Kutaisi, the accused used the names and criminal influence of “thieves-in-law,” along with various illegal actions, to forcibly transfer key traders from the competing market. As a result, the existing market effectively ceased operations.

Law enforcement officers arrested seven suspects on March 24, while one individual was charged in absentia.

The accused face charges under Article 223/1 (2) of the Georgian Criminal Code (“thief-in-law”), Article 223¹ (1) (membership in the “thieves’ world”), and Article 223³ (2) (supporting “thieves’ world” activities), which carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison.

The Prosecutor’s Office will submit a request to the court within the legally prescribed timeframe to impose pretrial detention on the accused.

“The Prosecutor’s Office maintains a strict criminal policy against organized crime and will continue this approach in the future,” the statement reads.