3 detained for ‘membership in criminal underworld’, supporting ‘criminal authorities’

Police have detained three individuals for ‘membership in criminal underworld’ and supporting thieves-in-law (criminal authorities) in Tbilisi and Black Sea town of Batumi today.

Police found that the detainee, identified only as D.K., attempted to obtain personal and material benefits for criminal authorities.

Aiming to extort money, with the help of two individuals, identified only as I.K. and R.M., D.K. contacted a businessman in Batumi and demanded several thousand dollars. The businessman was threatened with loss of life and destruction of property if he refused to pay money.

Law enforcers seized computer equipment and mobile phones of the detainees during a search.

The crime is punishable by three to 10 years in prison.