Police arrest 9 for “criminal underworld membership”

Police have arrested nine individuals on charges of “membership in the criminal underworld” and for using criminal authorities to settle a financial dispute, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported on Tuesday.

The three offenders, identified only through their initials, had been mediating between a person recognised as a criminal authority and two business partners involved in a financial dispute.

The Ministry said one of the arrested persons had organised a meeting for the disputing parties, the outcome of which saw one of the parties being ordered to pay $10,000  in favour of the other side.

Law enforcers seized computer equipment, two firearms and mobile phones of the offenders during a search.

The crime is punishable by seven to 15 years in prison.