EU launches new, large-scale project to support Georgian Interior Ministry

The European Union will launch a project that will help the Interior Ministry upgrade its capabilities against organised crime, develop its analytical capabilities, refine legislation and community-oriented policing and enhance international contacts.

A European Union representative stated today that it will be a “large-scale project” covering 2,5 years and eight priority directions.

Community-oriented policing, revising of legislation, international law enforcement cooperation, human rights and gender equality issues, development of analyses-based policing will be the major directions of the project,” the EU in Georgia representative said.

Georgian Deputy Interior Minister familiarised foreign diplomats with the Georgian police’s “exciting achievements” against organised crimes, trafficking, cyber and drug crimes.

She told diplomats that Georgia has made participation in criminal assemblies a criminal offence, as well as the support of criminal groups and appealing to criminals or such groups for help.

Mezvrishvili said that in 2018:

• Four criminal bosses and 52 members of criminal groups were detained, which is 47 per cent more compared to 2017.
• 42 individuals were detained for trafficking in 2018, which is 66 per cent more compared to 2017.
• This year 40 individuals have been detained for cybercrimes.
• 117 individuals have been detained for drug trafficking. The figure is two times more compared to 2017.
• Georgia has conducted 19 raids with French, Greece, Spanish and Polish law enforcers in the EU member states, resulting in the detention of 137 Georgian citizens, 13 were criminal bosses.