Georgia extradites suspected human traffickers to France

Georgian authorities have extradited a group of individuals wanted in France for alleged involvement in a transnational human trafficking operation, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The extradition follows close cooperation between law enforcement agencies in Georgia and France. The suspects were detained by officers from Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and handed over to French authorities after a court ruling approved their transfer.

According to the French investigation, the individuals were part of a transnational organized criminal group operating under the name Tantra Yogi. The network is accused of trafficking at least seven individuals to France for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

The suspects had been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued in 2024. The Georgian Prosecutor General's Office submitted formal petitions for extradition, which were upheld by all levels of the Georgian judiciary. The country’s Minister of Justice signed off on the final decision on 16 April.

In a statement, the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation in combating organized crime. “The Georgian Prosecutor's Office expresses its readiness to continue to successfully cooperate with the competent authorities of other countries in the future in order to bring wanted persons to justice.”