Ten arrested and ten venues closed in Tbilisi prostitution crackdown

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia said officers from the Central Criminal Police Department have arrested ten people in Tbilisi and closed ten venues on charges of promoting prostitution and providing premises for prostitution.

The ministry on Friday said the operation was carried out under a court order and involved dozens of investigative actions, including covert audio and video recordings, which reportedly confirmed the suspects’ illegal activities.

Managers and administrators of the venues employed mainly foreign nationals, facilitated prostitution, and systematically rented premises in various Tbilisi districts in exchange for payments.

Among those detained are citizens of China and Thailand, the ministry press office said. 

Evidence suggested the suspects also assisted women involved in prostitution by finding clients and collected a share of the proceeds from the services provided.

Law enforcement officers seized funds believed to have been earned through prostitution during the investigative actions at the venues. The evidence indicated that income from promoting prostitution constituted the primary revenue for these locations.

The crime carries a maximum sentence of up to four years in prison, the ministry said