Police arrest 13 for connections with “criminal underworld”

The Georgian Interior Ministry on Thursday said it had arrested 13 individuals for connections with “criminal underworld” and use of criminal authorities for settling financial disputes.

The Ministry said three of the individuals were accused of membership in the “criminal underworld”, while eight were arrested for supporting activities of the latter, and two were detained for appealing to its members.

It also said the investigation had established the individuals had “actively participated” in “various criminal activities” and arranged “thief-in-law trials” to resolve financial disputes.

The individuals charged with the supporting activities provided information to its members regarding the cases, presented their opinions, and evaluated and helped carry out the activities, the body said.

Law enforcement seized computers and mobile phones the arrested group used to communicate with each other and with members of the “criminal underworld” abroad.

They also discovered firearms, ammunition and drugs in their search of the individuals and their residential houses.

The crimes are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.